We invite writers, activists, scholars, teachers, storytellers, and community leaders who are working on issues related to data and generative AI to apply for a 2025-2026 Public Humanities Fellowship. Fellows in this program will engage in collective inquiry alongside experts to create public-facing projects with Oregon Humanities that address issues related to data, generative AI, and public trust.

Four fellows will be selected to participate in a year-long project with two major components:

• A series of facilitated discussions with guest experts in relevant fields. Discussions will broaden understandings of the challenges posed by generative AI from a variety of perspectives, including but not limited to technical expertise.
• In collaboration with Oregon Humanities, each fellow will develop a public-facing project that will deepen political, ethical and/or social engagement with issues related to data and generative AI.
   

OVERVIEW

With the advent of generative AI, deep-learning models have been introduced into almost every area data is collected and used: from classrooms to medical offices, government agencies, artist studios and beyond. The use of generative AI across a broad variety of social contexts raises a host of pressing cultural, social, political and ethical issues around trust and data. When is data being captured and used, to what ends, and to whose benefit or harm? These systems are often opaque, making it hard to parse the risks and benefits. Meanwhile, rhetorics of inevitability normalize adoption without reflection.  

Within that context, fellows will explore issues related to privacy, agency, and public trust, from copyright and compensation to the right to a human decision to whether machines can and should “forget.” When we can no longer rely on traditional understandings of when and where records are being kept, how do we develop new understandings informed by current technology?

As understandings of privacy, agency, and public information are disrupted, is it possible or desirable to restore human trust in the age of generative AI?

That uncertainty provides a crucial entry point for public engagement. Trust in generative AI is not only a question of technological expertise but also the thoughtful engagement with cultural messages and norms.  How should we approach these new demands on our institutions, our values and our trust? Only by analyzing the fundamental questions of cultural context, authority, and ethics can we begin to understand whether and how public trust might be earned. These are the tasks that humanist thinkers - in collaboration with engineers, policy makers, and data activists - are best positioned to take on.
 

ELIGIBILITY

These fellowships are open to scholars, researchers, writers, and community or nonprofit leaders whose work is grounded in the humanities. That is, we welcome applications from those who employ interpretive, discursive, and creative methods to approach questions and issues involving the human experience and human impacts. This includes those working in traditional humanities disciplines (philosophy & ethics, history, literature, religious studies, writing, etc.) and beyond.

Those with interest or experience in collaborative interdisciplinary work and the public humanities are encouraged to apply, as well as applicants from historically under-represented groups. Applicants working on projects relevant to the Pacific Northwest are also encouraged to apply.

For more information about the relevance of your work and ideas to this opportunity, see the FAQ or contact Joy Jensen at residencies.prax@oregonstate.edu.
 

TERMS & EXPECTATIONS

A one-year commitment: May 2025- July 2026, with projects submitted / completed by July 2026. No commitment over summer 2025. In addition, fellows will

Create intellectual community and continuity by:               

• Attending a virtual orientation meeting in May 2025.
• Attending an in-person gathering in September 2025 in Oregon.
• Participating in virtual meetings once a month from October 2025 through May 2026. Fellows will have the opportunity to design questions and discussion topics for relevant expert guest speakers.

Complete a public humanities project in partnership with Oregon Humanities that engages questions about trust, data, and generative AI. Projects might take the form of an essay, a podcast episode, a moderated on-stage conversation, a set of lesson plans or guest lecture, and/or a workshop or community event. All projects should be developed for a public audience of non-specialists.

Participate in mid-project progress meetings and provide programmatic feedback at the end of the fellowship.
 

FELLOWSHIP OFFERINGS

The review committee will select four fellows with diverse and complementary perspectives and methods of approach. Each fellow will receive:

• A $4,000 stipend ($2,000 awarded at the beginning of the fellowship and $2,000 awarded after mid-project progress meetings).
• Support for travel expenses.
• The opportunity to engage in deep listening, creative reflection, and idea-building within an interdisciplinary thinking community.
• Support coordinating and promoting a public humanities project with an established audience.    
   

PROGRAM & APPLICATION DATES

• April 25, 2025: Application deadline.
• May 11, 2025: Applicants notified of status. 
• May 2025: Complete paperwork and attend an online orientation.  
• September 2025: Fellowship begins with an in-person gathering in Corvallis, Oregon. 
• October 2025: Once-per-month virtual meetings begin.
• July 2026: Projects completed.
   

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are due April 25, 2025 via Submittable. All applications will be evaluated by a diverse review committee working in relevant fields. Applicants will be notified of status by May 11, 2025. 

Application materials:

• The completed Submittable form. Questions invite you to discuss your preparedness and motivation for this fellowship and ask for a description of your proposed project. Please consult the Oregon Humanities website for a sense of their offerings and see the FAQ for information about welcome topics, approaches, and outcomes. 
• A current resume or CV.
• A sample of existing work that represents your expertise and style (article, writing sample, podcast episode, set of lesson plans, etc.).

We ask that applications be drafted without the aid of generative AI.

If you have questions about any of the above, see the FAQ or contact Joy Jensen at residencies.prax@oregonstate.edu.