L.L. Stewart Faculty Fellowship
Location: OSU Campuses
The L.L. Stewart Faculty Fellowship offers Oregon State University faculty researchers working in any field of science or engineering a unique opportunity to engage in collaborative inquiry alongside a professional artist, creative writer or humanities scholar. These open collaborations have the potential to support projects that enable us to better understand the world, envision more just futures, and address complex challenges. Fellows and paired collaborators will partner on curiosity-driven exploration of questions and ideas central to their shared interests. Most teams will develop their project over a year, though projects can be extended to accommodate situations like fieldwork schedules. PRAx will partner with the team to coordinate and promote public events showcasing the process and outcomes of the fellowship.
The process of pairing artists, writers and humanities scholars with faculty fellows will be led by PRAx staff. We use the following broad definitions to identify collaborators:
- arts to include visual arts, performing arts and media arts.
- creative writing to include fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry.
- humanities to include academic disciplines that explore and interpret human culture, such as language, literature, history, ethics and philosophy.
Artists, writers and humanities scholars selected for this program will have:
- A compelling visual, performative, multimedia, creative or scholarly practice.
- An interest in scientific or technical research and discoveries.
- An openness to multi- or interdisciplinary collaborations.
- A commitment to learn alongside the faculty fellow in lab or fieldwork activities and to involve the fellow in artistic investigations, the creative process, humanities research and experiments when appropriate.
All OSU faculty members with active research portfolios who are interested in working alongside an artist, creative writer or humanities scholar to discover creative synergies and new ways of thinking about their research are encouraged to apply. If you have questions, contact Joy Jensen at [email protected].
Fellowship Details
Oregon State University faculty with active research portfolios working in science or engineering are welcome to apply.
The nature of the collaborative relationship in this program is complementary rather than supplementary. This fellowship thrives on clear communication and mutual respect, deep curiosity about inquiry and research, and openness to new experiences or unexpected insights.
Fellows will:
- Involve the artist, writer or humanities scholar in research activities, immersive lab or fieldwork experiences, and relevant gatherings valuable to understanding the discipline.
- Participate in “reverse residency” activities by learning about the artist’s, writer’s or scholar’s methods of inquiry, experimentation, and creative practice.
- Work with PRAx staff and the artist, writer or humanities scholar to develop a work plan and budget.
- Participate in quarterly online check-ins with program leaders. These can be online or in person.
- Participate in public programming and events connected with the fellowship.
- Submit a brief final reflection on the experience (3 pages max) and provide programmatic feedback throughout the fellowship.
Fellows will receive:
- A unique opportunity to learn alongside an artist, writer, or humanities scholar who is interested in their research by engaging in collaborative methods of inquiry and experimentation that can lead to new perspectives, insight, and forms of outreach.
- Consistent communication and support from PRAx staff on fellowship activities.
- Support in coordinating and showcasing the process and outcomes of the fellowship. These may take a variety of forms: a public presentation, performance, installation, short film, lectures, panel discussion, small publications, etc. PRAx will work with fellows and artists, writers, or humanities scholars to shape mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Depending on the term of the fellowship (1 to 2 years) and the scope of the project, fellows will receive up to $15,000 per year and will give at least 75% of that funding to their collaborator to support their time, travel and material costs.
- June 13, 2025: Application window closes.
- July 12, 2025: Applicants notified of status.
- July and August, 2025: Researchers are paired with artists, writers or humanities scholars.
- October 2025: Program orientation. Fellowship begins.
- October 2026 and beyond: Public event(s) featuring the process and work from your collaboration.
Applications are due by June 13, 2025, via Submittable. The short application form consists of a few questions about your research and interests. Applications are accepted from individuals only. If you are working on a project with multiple faculty collaborators or in a team-based lab, choose one person to submit an application. Applicants will be notified of status by July 12, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed by a diverse selection committee from relevant fields. Applicants will be notified of status by July 12, 2025.
This program opens for application annually. If you are not awarded a 2025 Stewart Faculty Fellowship, we encourage you to re-apply.
L.L. Stewart Faculty Fellowships are supported by the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) and funded by the Office of the Provost and the Mary Jones and Thomas Hart Horning Endowment.