Professor Chloe Ahmann (Department of Anthropology, Milstein Faculty Fellow 2025-27) is seeking an undergraduate researcher to help develop a new fall class called “Environmental Justice Studio.” Environmental Justice Studio is a cross-institutional, engaged learning course that enrolls students in the work of producing multimedia resources for Baltimore-based organizers. Taught by Drs. Chloe Ahmann (Cornell) and Anand Pandian (Johns Hopkins), the course will pair students across both institutions with environmental justice activists and city residents to research, write, and produce a four-part digital humanities curriculum about the racialized history of waste management in Baltimore.
This work comes at the request of organizers at the South Baltimore Community Land Trust, who are seeking research support to substantiate a civil rights complaint recently filed with the US EPA about the city’s discriminatory siting of waste infrastructures and its impact on the health outcomes of Black, brown, and working-class residents. Students enrolled in this course will gain experience with archival and ethnographic research methods, learn how to conduct time-sensitive research responsive to community needs, and produce digital humanities resources of immediate use in the fight for environmental justice.
The recipient of the Summer Stipend—a $7,000 award disbursed in two $3,500 lump sums for summer 2025—will work closely with Drs. Ahmann and Pandian to conduct preparatory research around key project themes, coordinate with archivists to identify and digitize relevant materials, research potential multimedia production support for the Fall 2025 term, and help prepare the infrastructure for a successful hybrid course that spans two campuses. The ideal candidate will be based in or near Baltimore (or willing to relocate), though we are certainly open to candidates who need to work remotely. The stipend can be put toward living expenses (rent, travel, relocation costs).
Note: this stipend is available to current sophomores and juniors.
Stipend amount: $7,000
Stipend timeframe: June 1-July 31 2025
Application Guidelines
Applications should consist of the following materials combined into in a single .pdf file:
- Cover sheet including your name, NetID, major(s) & minor(s)
- Resume
- Brief cover letter describing your interest and background in the subject.
Deadline: March 28 (EXTENDED)
Please send your application (single .pdf) to milsteinprogram@cornell.edu. These application materials will be shared with Drs. Chloe Ahmann and Anand Pandian. You may only hear back if you are selected to interview for the position. Thank you for understanding!
FAQs
What if I have an internship (a separate opportunity from this proposed project)? If you have an internship, you are ineligible. The Environmental Justice Studio Research Stipend implies full time research work for the timeframe of the stipend (June 1-July 31).
How is the funding disbursed? If you receive a stipend, you will receive an award letter with more details. Students will be set up in the College's vendor system, PaymentWorks, and will receive the stipend in two lump sums (one at the beginning and one at the midpoint) via direct deposit.
Is the summer stipend taxable income? Cornell does not withhold taxes on fellowship support for U.S. citizens or resident aliens, even though this fellowship support constitutes taxable income to the recipient. The recipient is responsible to claim the monies. Cornell is required to withhold 14% of grant, scholarship, or fellowship aid in excess of qualified tuition and fees for international students, researchers, or grantees who are temporarily present in the United States with an “F,” “J,” “M,” or “Q” visa unless eligible for an exemption or lower tax rate under a current tax treaty. If you have specific questions about taxes, please contact the Cornell University Tax office.