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Spring 2023 Research Assistant Internships

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is looking for qualified students (advanced undergraduate or graduate) interested in being part-time research assistant interns in the Spring 2023 semester. Please note that the Center has recently launched a flexible internship model, allowing for interns to opt for a fully in-person, fully remote, or hybrid internship experience. An intern typically works 12-15 hours a week per scholar (the number of hours can be adjusted accordingly to fulfill academic requirements).

In support of the scholars, scholar interns spend much of their time searching for information using online academic databases or other publications. Other duties also include proofreading, editing, critiquing, checking references, compiling bibliographies, writing literature reviews, summarizing research materials, locating inter-library loan materials, and helping with software or presentations. There may be some administrative tasks involved like copying or filing, but such tasks will be limited. Consequently, a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to work with minimum supervision are strong assets. Foreign language skills are sometimes useful but are not required.

In addition, this program seeks to further the agency’s mission by providing the recipient with an introduction to the relationship between the world of learning and the world of public affairs. The recipients, as future scholars and/or leaders, will be afforded the opportunity to experience first-hand the importance of engaging academics and public servants toward a common purpose. It is hoped that these opportunities to work with distinguished scholars and practitioners will add a valuable practicum experience to one’s classroom training.

The priority deadline to apply is December 4 at 11:59 PM EST. However, internship positions are open until filled, so it is strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The following reading and writing foreign language skills are useful and applicants should indicate their level of proficiency on the application form: Arabic, French, Chinese, Hindi, Igbo, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Persian, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Uzbek, Yoruba

The Wilson Center Internship Application Form, a current list of scholars seeking assistance, and detailed instructions can be found on our website.

The application materials consist of:
  • A completed Wilson Center Internship Application Form
  • Cover Letter (indicating academic interests or areas of interest)
  • Current Resume (indicating relevant coursework)
  • 3-to-5 page Writing Sample or excerpt of a recent research paper with separate Works Cited page
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation (do not have to be sealed by recommender); highlighting writing, research, and/or language skills would be helpful; *if you don’t have recommendation letters readily available, please include three references
  • Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)

Please submit your application materials in ONE COMPLETE PDF with file named as Last Name, First Name_RA Application, subject line RESEARCH ASSISTANT APPLICATION via email to internships@wilsoncenter.org.

Applications that do not follow these instructions will not be considered.

Please Note:
  • Interns can either receive outside funding, or will receive a modest monthly stipend.
  • Because of the large number of applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
  • Interviewed candidates will be contacted within approximately 4-6 weeks of the prescribed deadline. However, we may receive last minute intern requests from other scholars.

Scholars Seeking Assistance for Spring 2023:

Geneive Abdo, former Fellow, Brookings Doha Center. “Arab Shia Communities’ Drift Away from Iran’s Political and Theological Sphere of Influence: A Peacemaking Opportunity for the International Community.” (Arabic)

Jonathan Abel, Associate Professor of Asian Studies and Comparative Literature, The Pennsylvania State University. “Subtitling the World: Fake News, Fictional Truth, and Social Media.” (Chinese, Japanese)

Amit Ahuja, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of California at Santa Barbara. “Building National Armies in Multiethnic States.” (Hindi, Urdu)

Sarah Cameron, Associate Professor of History, University of Maryland, College Park. “Aral Sea: Environment, Society, and State Power in Central Asia.” (Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek)

Susanna Campbell, Associate Professor, School of International Service, American University. “Networks of Influence and Support between War and Peace.” (French, Spanish)

Stephen King, Professor of Political Science, Georgetown University. “Black Arabs: Between Slavery and Racism in the Middle East and North Africa.” (Arabic, French)

Jeffrey Kucik, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Arizona. “Keeping Promises: Implementing Socially Inclusive Trade Law.” 

Guy Laron, Senior Lecturer, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. “Empire of Oil: Russia’s Grand Strategy in the Middle East from Lenin to Putin.” (German, Italian, Russian)

Margaret Myers, Director, Asia and Latin America Program, Inter-American Dialogue. “Twisted Roots: The Drivers of Change in Modern China-Latin America Relations.” (Chinese, Spanish)

Valerie Percival, Associate Professor, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Canada. “Promoting Gender Equality and Health Equity through Foreign Policy: Panacea or Fool’s Game?”

Raoni Rajão, Associate Professor of Environmental Management and Social Studies of Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil. “The Military and the Environmental Science Policy Interface in the Brazilian Amazon: From the Military Regime to Bolsonaro.” (Portuguese)

Julio Rios-Figueroa, Professor Titular (Associate Professor), Department of Law, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de Mexico (ITAM), Mexico. “Authoritarian Legacies and the Winding Road to the Rule of Law in Mexico.” (Spanish)

Jennifer Sciubba, Associate Professor of International Studies, Rhodes College. “We the People: Population Control and the Making of the American Nation.”

Shobana Shankar, Professor of History, Stony Brook University-State University of New York. “A Nigeria-India Nexus: Negotiating Cultural Economic Power in the Global South.” (Arabic, Hindi, Igbo, Urdu, Yoruba)

Alexey Tsykarev, Chairman, Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples and Civic Diplomacy ‘Young Karelia’, Russia. “The Role of Indigenous Peoples in Arctic Diplomacy and Governance.” (Russian)

Francisco Urdinez, Associate Professor of Political Science, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. “Chinese Business and Structural Power: How Chinese Multinational Corporations Affect Domestic Politics in the Developing World.” (Chinese, Spanish)

Robin Wright, Former Washington Post Journalist and Joint Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace and Wilson Center. "The Middle East at a Crossroads: from North Africa to the Persian Gulf." (Arabic, Persian)

*Please note that this list of scholars is incomplete and subject to change. If you do not see a project that aligns with your particular interests on this list, please still apply and indicate your areas of interest on your application form. We will do our best to match you based on interest area and expertise as we continue to receive research assistant requests from our scholars.
 
**Languages listed would be helpful for a particular scholar's project but are not necessarily required