Fellowships and Eligibility

Each academic year the Center appoints six doctoral student fellows from the Graduate Center, CUNY and six CUNY faculty fellows from throughout CUNY. Fellows are drawn from programs in the social sciences, humanities, and sciences. Faculty fellows receive a two course release for the year of their fellowship (to be distributed across the fall and spring semesters at the discretion of their department), and student fellows receive a stipend of $10,000. ONLY full-time CUNY faculty are eligible for faculty fellowships, and ONLY Level III CUNY doctoral students are eligible for Graduate Fellowships. Deadlines for these fellowships are announced below once they are determined.

A central aspect of the Center’s activities is a weekly seminar that meets every Wednesday morning from 10 AM-12 PM. This seminar is a chance to bring student and faculty fellows together with distinguished visiting scholars around the annual theme. All students and faculty fellows are expected to attend in person throughout their fellowship year.

The Center also offers a Post-Doctoral Fellowship position every one to two years (see below for details).

Information on becoming a Visiting Scholar at the Center can be found here.

You can read about CPCP annual seminar themes here.

You can read about past fellows here.

CPCP Seminar theme 2024-2025: Anti-Capitalist Environmentalism

The existential problems of the planet are complex. Given capitalism’s obsessive growth primed by, for instance, land-grabbing, extractivism, social & economic hierarchies, and war, capitalist environmentalism leans heavily on tweaking armageddon to maintain its hold on futurity for the planet. Just like its central roles in migration, militarism, imperialism, and colonialism, capitalism deigns to shape the substance of environmental struggle.   Even to produce “green” products, capitalism increasingly commodifies or speculates on basic elements of survival—air, water, land — as if these processes are somehow outside the road to extinction. Certainly such processes have already paved the road to a global pandemic and readied the way for the next such event.

The CPCP seminar for 2024-2025 aims to address anti-capitalist environmentalism as an urgent antidote in the present conjuncture. While the planet seems saturated by capitalism’s many material and social toxicities, including the green variants, anti-capitalist environmentalism — although frequently not thus-named — also exists around the planet. We will focus substantial scholarly and imaginative energies on learning about these possibilities: what do these look like? Who is involved? In other words we wish to understand how, at various temporal and spatial scales, careful thought and organizational energy indicate modes to dodge or disable the relentless dynamics of capitalism saving capitalism from capitalism.

THE CUNY GRADUATE CENTER DISSERTATION FELLOWSHIP COMPETITION FOR THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

Applications Due: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 no later than 5:00pm

The application guidelines, cover sheet, and eligibility can be found here.

The Center for Place, Culture and Politics Dissertation Fellowship is open to Level 3 students from any discipline whose research articulates with topics that have contemporary urgency, regardless of period or methodological approach. The Center runs a lively interdisciplinary weekly seminar in which we discuss fellows’ work-in-progress. We also host distinguished lecture series and other special programming, and sponsor conferences organized around annual themes. Recent yearlong topics have included “Urban Uprisings,” “Mobilizations and Migrations,” “Consciousness and Revolution,” “The Agrarian Question Today,” and “Revolutionary Arts.” We invite dissertation fellow applicants to provide a brief statement (250-300 words) highlighting the linkages of their research with the Center’s 2023-2024 theme: The State. Abolitionist? Fascist? Communist? Bourgeois? Kindly note: acceptance of the award is contingent on being able to attend the CPCP’s Wednesday morning (10am-12pm) seminar throughout the academic year.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The completed application must be submitted no later than 5:00pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. The applications are to be submitted as per the following instructions. Your adviser must submit a letter of recommendation by the same deadline, January 16, 2024.

The application materials should be assembled AS A SINGLE DOCUMENT in pdf or word format in the following order:

a. Application cover sheet

b. Statement of applicability for special focus awards (if applicable, see award descriptions for details)

c. 9-page proposal

d. 1-page bibliography

e. 2-page CV

f. Graduate Center Transcript (unofficial student copy is sufficient)

g. A brief statement (250-300 words) highlighting the linkages of your research with the Center’s ongoing interdisciplinary agenda.

One letter of reference to be submitted electronically by your adviser (see instructions page).

These materials should not be submitted directly to the CPCP, but to fellowshipapps@gc.cuny.edu.

Please direct questions to Rachel Sponzo at rsponzo@gc.cuny.edu.

Instructions for submitting your application:

1. Combine your cover sheet, proposal (including abstract and bibliography), curriculum vitae, and transcript, into a SINGLE file (either as a pdf document or a word document).

• Use the following format when naming your document: Last Name, First Name, Program

2. Email the single application file to fellowshipapps@gc.cuny.edu.

3. Complete the online section of the application through the following form: Graduate Center Dissertation Fellowship Competition

* You must use your Graduate Center email address when you submit both parts of the application. All award notifications will also be sent to your Graduate Center email.

Instructions for Faculty Recommenders

1. Prepare your reference letter as a regular word or pdf document, on letterhead.

• Please use the following format when naming your document: Student Last Name, First Name

2. Email your letter as an attachment to fellowshipapps@gc.cuny.edu.

Please direct questions to Rachel Sponzo at rsponzo@gc.cuny.edu.

 

APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR FACULTY FELLOWSHIPS 2024-2025

The deadline for applications is Thursday, February 1st, 2024 no later than 12:00pm. Your emailed application must be received on or before this date to be considered.
Email faculty fellowship applications to centerforplaceculturepolitics@gmail.com.

The Center for Place, Culture and Politics Faculty Fellowship is open to faculty from any discipline whose research articulates with topics that have contemporary urgency, regardless of period or methodological approach. The Center runs a lively weekly seminar in which we discuss fellows’ work-in-progress. We also host distinguished lecture series and other special programming, and sponsor conferences organized around annual themes. Recent yearlong topics have included “Urban Uprisings,” “Mobilizations and Migrations,” “Consciousness and Revolution,” and “The Agrarian Question Today.”

We invite faculty fellow applicants to provide a statement (1500 words) on their research that highlights the linkages of their research with the Center’s ongoing interdisciplinary agenda (see below for complete application instructions and application form). Kindly note: acceptance of the award is contingent on being able to attend the CPCP’s Wednesday morning (10am-12pm) seminar during the academic year.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

A completed  Faculty Fellow Application is comprised of four parts:

  • Completed faculty application form 2024 that includes the signature of the program Executive Officer for faculty with Graduate School and University Center (GSUC) appointments or of Department chairs for non-GSUC appointments;
  • 150 words abstract;
  • Project description that relates your project to the CPCP’s wide range of interdisciplinary engagement, as demonstrated in the 2022 conference description above (maximum 1500 words);
  • A current short CV (maximum 5 pages).

Submission guidelines:

Submit completed application by e-mail as a PDF attachment (including the signed application form) to centerforplaceculturepolitics@gmail.com with the subject line: “FACULTY FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION”. **This email address should be used only for submission of the application materials. All inquiries about the application process or about the CPCP should be sent to pcp@gc.cuny.edu.

The application deadline is Thursday, February 1st, 2024 no later than 12:00pm.

APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Applications Due: March 15, 2024

The CPCP is seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow for the academic year 2024-2025. Applications are due no later than March 15, 2024. Please see the details below to learn about the position and how to apply.

Research Associate (Post-Doctoral Fellow) – Center for Place, Culture and Politics

Job ID 27834

The Center for Place, Culture and Politics (CPCP) at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) has an open position for a Research Associate (Post-Doctoral Fellow) for academic year 2024-2025, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The Center seeks applicants who work on issues related to the theme of “Anti-capitalist Environmentalism,” While the planet seems saturated by capitalism’s many material and social toxicities, including the green variants, anti-capitalist environmentalism — although frequently not thus-named — also exists around the planet. We invite candidates from any disciplinary or interdisciplinary training. Please visit https://pcp.gc.cuny.edu for details on the Center and https://pcp.gc.cuny.edu/seminar-theme/ for details on the theme of “Anti-capitalist Environmentalism.”

The role of the Research Associate (Post-Doctoral Fellow) is integral to the yearly running of the CPCP. In addition to conducting their own research, the Research Associate (Post-Doctoral Fellow) will be  expected to attend and contribute to the weekly seminar at the Center. Duties will also include active involvement with other Center initiatives, such as organizing conferences and symposia, and liaising with community organizations and scholars. The incumbent will report to the Director of the Center for Place, Culture and Politics.

The CPCP, established in 2000, is interdisciplinary and strives to provide an intellectual forum for the discussion of a wide range of vital contemporary issues. Each academic year, faculty and graduate student fellows from different disciplines explore a specific theme at the Center through a weekly seminar. The Center also hosts prominent national and international scholars and activists who have done significant work related to the theme and invites distinguished outside lecturers to present their work. Over the past several years the Center has sought to work more closely with social movements in New York City and beyond on the theme of “The Right to the City” and other contemporary urgencies.

The CUNY Graduate Center is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at CUNY, the nation’s largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master’s programs of the highest caliber, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center’s commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan, designed to promote collaboration among scientists in global research and innovation. CUNY values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching, and service missions of the university.

The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni—who in turn teach hundreds of thousands of undergraduates every year. Through its public programs, the Graduate Center enhances New York City’s intellectual and cultural life. 

All full-time and part-time CUNY staff are expected to work in-person at their campus office 70% of their work time. For full-time staff, this is equivalent to 7 out of 10 days of in-person work in a two-week period (e.g., 7 days in-person, 3 days remote). This hybrid work schedule is subject to change.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Doctoral Degree in a related field and demonstrated research ability.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

A preferred candidate should have demonstrated scholarship or achievement related to the theme “Anti-capitalist Environmentalism.” The candidate should also have the ability to cooperate with others for the good of the institution. Candidates should have their doctoral dissertations (or equivalent) in hand and have completed their dissertations within the last five years.

COMPENSATION

$79,187/year

BENEFITS

CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans.  Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please visit this link and click on on “Apply Now” which will bring you to the registration screen. If you are a new user, you must register to apply. If you already have a user ID, please use your existing ID to apply.

MATERIALS TO SUBMIT

Please make sure to submit:

  1. Letter of application describing their relevant research
  2. Names and contact information for two references (name, title, organization, email and phone #)
  3. CV
  4. Writing sample of not more than 20 pages including notes 

***Please upload all documents in Word or PDF format as one file.

CLOSING DATE

All applications must be submitted no later than March 15, 2024 for consideration. (revised)