Purpose of the Fraser Fellowship Program

The purpose of the Fraser Fellowship program is to create a community of faculty and academic staff focused on diverse, creative and innovative research on workplaces, workers, and the organizations representing them.

Work and Democracy: What Do Work and Labor Mean in Democratic Societies?

Historian Heather Cox Richardson argues that we are in the midst of a societal debate about the scope and purpose of government and the meaning of democracy. As labor and workplace scholars and teachers, we need to ask what role labor and work play in that debate and in the current conflicts that have polarized our own politics. This debate, though, is centuries in the making. We have been talking about the role of workers' organizations, workplace and industrial democracy, and and labor protest since the late 19th century. This grant focuses on the many meanings of democracy, individual rights and freedoms, and governance in countries around the globe. How will the relationship between work and democracy shape the future of the labor movement, society, and politics in the United States and globally?

Eligibility

All full-time faculty and academic staff exploring research on past turning points for the labor movement and current trends of labor and workers organization both within the organized labor movement and in alternative organization.

2024-2025 Funding

Stipulations for 2024-2025 funding are listed below:

• Up to six awardees will be selected.
• Each awardee (Fraser Fellow) may apply for up to $7,500.00 to support his/her/their approved research project for either scholarly publication and conference presentation or for public-facing scholarship (exhibits, broadcast and pod-casts, digital media, etc). The proposal must clearly outline its intended final outcome.
• The Fellow may use the grant for travel and attendance at conferences to present on his/her/their approved project, or to pay for research assistance and administrative costs. Funds cannot to be used for computers, printers, or other office equipment or programs.
• Funds will be available for up to eighteen months from the day the award is announced.

Research Expectations

Stipulations for 2024-2025 research are listed below:

• Forward an electronic research paper, whitepaper or journal article to the Director of Labor@Wayne on his/her/their approved research project.
• Post a summary of his/her/their research project on the Fraser Center website.
• chedule his/her/their research presentation at a Fraser Center event hosted by Labor@Wayne. The presentation must be complete within eighteen (18) months following the announcement of the award.

Application Guidelines and Deadline

Submit your electronic proposal by April 10th, 2024 at 5pm EST to Elizabeth Faue, Director, Labor@Wayne, at ad5247@wayne.edu. It must
identify the principal investigator, department affiliation(s) and contact information and, if applicable, a list of key participants, including their disciplines and proposed contributions to the project. It should describe the research project in not more than six (6) double-spaced pages that includes a plan of work for the twelve (12) month period following the award announcement. Your narrative should include:

• Statement of Purpose
• Outline your theoretical framework and research methodology.
• Specify any preliminary findings.
• Explain the relationship between your project and the award’s theme.
• A bibliography or list of relevant sources (not to exceed one page).
• Identify possible outcomes of the project, including publications and future research or follow-up studies.
• Indicate how partnership with the Fraser Center would enhance both the applicant’s career and Fraser Center’s visibility.
• Provide a detailed budget of proposed expenses. The Fraser Center staff will administer award funds.
• Include your professional record.

Decisions will be announced by June 1, 2024.