McCall Research Fellow

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Dr. Emmanuel McCall Racial Justice and Leadership Initiative seeks two McCall Research Fellows to support an ongoing research project examining individuals and communities who engaged in acts of racial justice and solidarity across U.S. history. While the Civil Rights Movement is a significant focus of this work, the research also explores allies and justice actors in other historical periods and movements.

McCall Research Fellows will help document stories of courageous faith and justice through oral histories, archival research, and community-based inquiry. This work is rooted in public history practices and seeks to preserve, interpret, and share stories that inform the Church’s ongoing engagement with racial justice.

RESPONSIBILITY:    The McCall Research Fellow will provide research support to the Dr. Emmanuel McCall Racial Justice and Leadership Initiative by documenting stories of racial justice and courageous faith across U.S. history. This work includes oral history interviews, archival research, and preparation of materials that inform the Church’s ongoing engagement with racial justice.    

AVAILABILITY: March 2026-December 2026, 15 hours per week

DUTIES:     

• Conduct oral history interviews with descendants, colleagues, and community members connected to individuals engaged in racial justice work
•  Build rapport with interviewees and create space for ethical, respectful storytelling
• Assist with transcription, organization, and analysis of oral histories and qualitative data        
• Prepare field notes, interview summaries, and research memos
• Conduct background research on historical figures, movements, churches, and communities
• Assist in identifying themes, patterns, and historical insights across interviews and sources  
• Support the preparation of reports, presentations, and public-facing materials  
• Participate in regular check-ins with the Project Director   
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical research standards      
• Provide additional research or administrative support as needed      

QUALIFICATIONS:

• ·  Bachelor’s degree in history, African American Studies, Sociology, Public History, or a related field (Master’s students preferred)
• ·  Training or experience in public history, oral history or community-based historical research
• ·  Strong writing, note-taking and organizational skills
• ·  Comfort conducting interviews and working with sensitive historical material
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Commitment to racial justice, historical integrity and ethical research practices

Additional Qualifications:

• For one of the two positions, fluency in Spanish is required (ability to speak, read, and write Spanish).

COMPENSATION: Each McCall Research Fellow will receive a monthly stipend of $1,625, based on an expected commitment of approximately 15 hours per week at $25 per hour.