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 Request for Applicants

Knowledge of AIDS – Scholarly Networking Project on Social Studies of HIV/AIDS in North America


Overview: We invite scholars and researchers across academic ranks or career stages to submit proposals to join a three-year scholarly networking project focused on the social studies of HIV/AIDS with a particular emphasis on the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS) in its broadest sense. We are seeking US and international participants who consider the archive, expertise and civic participation grounded in North America and/or its global relations. This National Science Foundation (NSF #2240822; #2240637; #2240673) funded interdisciplinary project aims to bring together scholars who are engaged in research that reflects on the social, biomedical and political history of HIV/AIDS, fostering collaboration, and building a comprehensive understanding of this area of study. The project will involve three annual in-person workshops, participation in a mentorship program, small grant opportunities to support collaborative work, and online community formation. Applicants may indicate interest in participating for all three years of the scholarly network or in a single workshop; joining for all three years comes with a greater expectation of ongoing participation in the network’s activities. We invite individuals across the social sciences and humanities at all academic career stages (e.g., PhD student to full professor) as well as independent scholars or people working as researchers in non-university environments. In addition to applications from the humanities and social sciences, we encourage submissions from scholars working on aesthetic, artistic, creative, or design-oriented approaches to HIV/AIDS and its histories.


Project Themes:

Year 1: Archive of AIDS (2024-2025). In the first year, we will explore the 'Archive of AIDS.' This theme encompasses the historical, sociocultural, and technological aspects of archiving HIV/AIDS-related materials and the cultural memory of the pandemic. We encourage applications that delve into the preservation and utilization of materials, narratives, and memory related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in North America. In Person Workshop: Seattle, WA April 3-5 2024


Year 2: Expertise and AIDS (2025-2026). The second year will center around the theme of 'Expertise and AIDS.' Scholars are invited to explore the various forms of expertise that have emerged in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, including medical, scientific, political, and community-based expertise. How has expertise shaped responses to HIV/AIDS in North America, and what can we learn from these intersections? In Person Workshop: Galveston, TX 2025 (date TBD). 


Year 3: Participation and AIDS (2026-2027). In the third and final year, the project will focus on 'Participation and AIDS.' We seek submissions that examine the role of individuals, communities, and organizations in the HIV/AIDS discourse, policy, and activism. What forms of participation have been most influential, and how have they evolved over time? In Person Workshop: San Marcos, CA 2026. (date TBD)


For more, see http://www.knowledgeofAIDS.net


Submission Guidelines: 

Interested participants should submit a 300-word description of their research that aligns with one or more of the project themes, and a current CV. 


We are particularly looking for scholars that can commit to the three-year project and are interested in generating a synthetic understanding across the three themes, and the four decades of the epidemic. Research descriptions should clearly articulate your research interests, the methods and/or theories you use in your work, and relevance to the project's overarching goal of building a durable scholarly community around social studies of HIV/AIDS. We are especially seeking scholars and community practitioners who are involved in the archive, expertise and civic participation within North America and/or its global impacts.


Timeline:

How to Submit: Please submit a 300-word statement about your research and its relationship to the RCN’s theme, and CV using this form Knowledge of AIDS - Research Collaboration Network Application. Note that you need a Google account to fill out the application form; if you do not have a Google account and would like to apply, please contact the organizing team at knowledgeofaids@gmail.com. 


Contact Information: For inquiries or additional information, please contact the organizing team at knowledgeofaids@gmail.com. 


Project Organizers:

David Ribes and Marika Cifor, University of Washington

Stephen Molldrem, University of Texas Medical Branch

Andrew Spieldenner, California State University-San Marcos