The Disability History Association’s Mentorship Program was founded as part of the American Historical Association’s Advisory Committee on Disability, to assist in facilitating network connections between graduate students and established faculty working on disability history.
Mentoring is a crucial process of academic learning. For graduate students, it offers an opportunity to ask questions about challenges they may face in the duration of their career: doing research, preparing for their exams and defense, learning about effective teaching strategies, dealing with administrative roadblocks, and more. For faculty volunteers, mentoring serves as an extension of teaching skills and presents an opportunity to guide rising scholars in the field.
The DHA Mentorship Program aims to match volunteer mentors with students who are either pursuing a graduate degree in the same subfield of history or who have the same disability, if that information is disclosed. The mentor is not meant to replace or interfere with the supervisor-student relationship, but rather to serve as a helpful resource in the field for general advice and professional development.
This informal Program is based on communication through email, phone, or Skype. The frequency and mode of contact will depend on the mentee and mentor, but DHA recommends it must be no less than 1-2 hours every 4-6 weeks for at least a year.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PROGRAM
Mentees
- Graduate students doing a MA or PhD in history, disability history, history of science or history of medicine with a specialization in disability history. Students working in related disciplines, such as American studies, historical sociology, historical anthropology, or material culture studies are also welcome. Students working outside the U.S. are welcome to apply.
- Demonstrated an interest in developing a career as a researcher and teacher/faculty in the history of disability
- Students with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply
Mentors
- Scholars worldwide working in the area of disability history or related fields
- Faculty with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply
To apply, please send an email to Dr. Jaipreet Virdi, director of the Mentorship Program at jvirdi@udel.edu with a short paragraph outlining:
- Your name, affiliation, and email
- Your field of study/program, year of graduation (mentees), and area(s) of specialty.
- What do you aim to achieve from this program?
- If so desired, you are welcome to disclose your disability/disabilities
- For mentors: how many mentees are you willing to take on if they are a good match? (DHA recommendation is 1-3)
Applications for the fall semester are due AUGUST 19. Mentee-mentor matches will be set by September 1. The next round of applications will be in December for a January match.
If you have any questions, please contact the director of the Mentorship Program, Dr. Jaipreet Virdi at jvirdi@udel.edu.
