"Post Doctoral Scholar"

OVERVIEW

Independent and academically affiliated scholars and artists may apply for Global Arts and Humanities Society of Fellows External Fellowship in alignment with annual theme of Cultures in Motion (26-27).

Annual Theme

What makes culture portable? How do cultural forms, objects, ideas, and practices travel and adapt to contexts? What meanings arise from these forms in motion? What aesthetic strategies emerge from the pressures and/challenges of transit? How do infrastructurescorporate, state, technologicalshape or constrain cultural mobility? How do small formsephemera, fragments, micro-genrestravel, and what do they carry with them? How have local cultures responded to complex global challenges revealing local global interdependences and responsibilities. How might the study of cultures in motion wield new social imaginaries and solidarities? Contrary to past and present efforts to control cultural differences or prohibit mobility in pursuit of cultural stasis, this years theme envisions culture as dynamic, resilient and resistant to fixity. To approach culture as a living practice is to envision cultural systems as historically situated, mediated, contentious and connected to relations of people and power. Whether through migration, mediation, aesthetic adaptation or digital infrastructures motion is how culture circulates. Motion in this context is not only a matter of physical transit or speed; it is a condition of social, affective, symbolic transformation. The circulation of cultural forms produces new layers of meaning and transforms social relationships complex, sometimes contested, always in flux. This theme invites projects that engage with the reach of cultural circulation across time and space and that engage methodological considerations of scale, and how cultural exchanges acquire or do not acquire larger significance. Scholars and creative practitioners working in community engaged contexts whose work directly participates in processes of cultural circulation are also encouraged to apply. The theme welcomes a range of creative and cultural forms, such as cartographic, cinematic, culinary, dance, linguistic, literary, musical, painting, pedagogical, photographic, popular culture, social media and theatre among others. The theme seeks to support projects that investigate cultural exchange through arts and humanities disciplinary and cross-disciplinary orientations and/or community engaged methods and practices.

Position Description

The selected candidate will be appointed as a post-MFA/postdoctoral scholar in the Global Arts + Humanities and is expected to work on their own scholarly, artistic, advocacy and/or policy-oriented work, as well as to engage Ohio State faculty and students. The post-MFA/Postdoc will also be expected to teach one undergraduate course in spring semester 2027 or equivalent labor in developing arts-based deliverable. Independent artists may pursue an aspect of creative leadership, professional development and/ or research towards a project that engages the annual theme, Cultures in Motion. The residency does not support production or exhibition and does require teaching and participation in an interdisciplinary seminar with the other fellows.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application. Once you start the application, you will need to fill it out to completion and upload all required materials. Please be aware that you will not be able to edit your application or materials after submission.

The application deadline is February 16, 2026, at 11:59pm.

Submit electronic copies of the following materials with your application

• A current curriculum vitae.
• A sample related to the fellowship theme (one published article, book, chapter or multimedia video documentation of artistic practice).
• A 100-word abstract describing the project (research, creative, public-facing) the applicant will pursue during the term of the fellowship.
• A brief statement (1,000-1,500 words) describing how your project engages the annual theme, your interest in participating in a multi-disciplinary research community and the specific contributions you would hope to bring to the cohort. The statement should also describe the cross-disciplinary dimensions of your project.
• A course proposal for an undergraduate course. This could be either a version of an existing course or a special topics course related to the applicants research, consisting of a brief course description (50 words), summary of topics/learning outcomes (up to 300 words) and a provisional list of required texts for the course or a syllabus if the course has been previously taught.
• Two reference letters are required. Letter writers should submit letters directly to Global Arts and Humanities Associate Director, Puja Batra-Wells (batra-wells.1@osu.edu)

Certifications

Education: MFA or Doctoral/Professional

Salary and Benefits

The term for the position is August 15, 2026-August 14, 2027. Fellows must be in residence in Columbus, Ohio during Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. The position comes with an annual salary of $62,000 plus benefits and a $4000 professional development fund. Ohio State will cover expenses related to obtaining a visa, if needed. Ohio State will provide fellows access to a shared office space as well as library privileges and access to Ohio State instructional resources.