Research

August 24, 2015, Filed Under: Research

From “Informants” to Intellectuals: Reframing 20th Century Nahua Participation in Academic Research

Faculty Researcher: KELLY MCDONOUGH

Contact Details

Kelly McDonough – kelly.mcdonough@austin.utexas.edu

Description

McDonough, Kelly – Spanish & Portuguese
Starting on: As soon as possible
Contact: kelly.mcdonough@austin.utexas.edu

This project studies the representation of Mexican indigenous “informants,” collaborators, and authors in their own right during the twentieth century in anthropological and linguistic research (specifically related to Nahua culture, Nahuas being native speakers of Nahuatl – language of the Aztecs and more than 1.5 million people today). For the majority of the twentieth century many of the indigenous people who provided the information for academic studies were seen as sources of raw data that the “intellectual” academician would then analyze and interpret. In reframing indigenous peoples as intellectuals in their own right, I argue for an expanded understanding of indigenous intellectualism addresses both the tensions and complementary nature of oral and written modes of creating and transmitting oral and written indigenous knowledges. At the same time, with this approach as example, I advocate for a return to early twentieth-century anthropological and linguistic studies in order to tease out and recover voices of indigenous intellectuals that can and should inform contemporary studies of Nahua culture.

I need assistance with downloading all of the 42 volumes of the journal Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl, coding essays for general topics, and assessing how the indigenous person who provided the source material (usually called an informant or collaborator, but sometimes author) is recognized in the essays.

Qualifications:
Required: Advanced proficiency in Spanish; knowledge of Word and Excel.
Preferred: Interest in Indigenous Studies

Time Commitment: Negotiable
Duration: 2-4 months
Compensation: Credit in the acknowledgments of the completed article
The sponsor of this project is available for weekly meetings in person or via Skype
For more information please contact Kelly McDonough at kelly.mcdonough@austin.utexas.edu

Project Timeline

5/1/15-10/1/15

Duties

data collection
discourse analysis
pdf’s searchable
literature review

August 11, 2015, Filed Under: Internship, Research

Fall Policy & Research Internship with Workers Defense Project – Apply by 8/15

Workers Defense Project seeks Policy and Research Interns Fall 2015

WDP offers an opportunity for aspiring researchers to get hands on experience with community-based research. Interns will learn a wide range of research skills from policy analysis to data collection, and primary data research design. Interns will learn to use public information laws to collect critical data for organizing campaigns, as well as an introduction to corporate research. The intern will also learn basic organizing skills and support the organization’s policy campaigns at the local and state level. Internship opportunities are available in Austin and Dallas, Texas.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The final deadline to apply is August 15th.

Internship Period: September 1- December 15.

The Research and Policy intern will work with WDP’s Research Coordinator to conduct strategic research to advance our campaigns to win better working conditions for low wage workers. The intern will also assist with developing and testing primary data collection tools for documenting the working conditions of low-wage construction workers. Research and policy advocacy play a critical role in our successful model of policy change that has won better wages and safer working conditions for thousands of workers in Texas.

Requirements:

Strong written and verbal communication skills
Conversant in Spanish, preferred.
Computer literate: Word, Internet, and e-mail
Ability to work independently
Commitment to social justice
Available for 12-15 hours a week, during business hours, some evening hours may be possible.

Responsibilities :

Assist with research study of approximately 1,000 construction workers in the southern U.S., including piloting survey questions, collecting background data, and assisting with methodology development
Assist in obtaining and analyzing work-related injury and illness data from Texas hospitals and from existing national surveys
Develop construction industry fact sheets

Compensation :

Life-long experience and skills
Referrals for future employment
$150 stipend per month
Possible class credit

WDP strongly encourages women, people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals to apply.

How to apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and two professional references to Bethany Boggess at bethany@workersdefense.org For questions, please call 512-743-0611.