Public Humanities Graduate Internship Program

Information for Students

Overview


The Public Humanities Graduate Internship Program is designed for Rice Humanities PhD students interested in learning about the public humanities, exploring careers outside the academy, and/or developing mutually beneficial research partnerships.

Graduate students will participate in projects and serve the missions of partner Houston-based organizations while drawing on their academic, professional, and personal backgrounds. By interning 10–20 hours per week at Houston-area institutions, students will be able to apply their expertise and acquire new professional skills through hands-on, real-world practice and expand a professional network in the greater Houston area. The organizations we partner with for this program are mission-driven, and positions include responsibilities around communications and outreach, research and public writing, data collection and analysis, to name a few.

Internships will run from May through August 2025 for a maximum of 12 weeks. Students are expected to work up to 240 hours over the summer (between 10 and 20 hours per week for up to 12 weeks). Compensation will be contingent on the number of contracted hours, with a rate of $25 per hour for a maximum stipend of $6,000.

On Fridays, students are expected to attend a weekly one-hour seminar where they explore the role of the humanities in public life, society, and culture, along with a check-in and Q&A period to support students throughout their internship further.

Students may apply with a specific organization in mind and indicate so in their cover letter, but this is not required, nor is a match guaranteed. Students may propose a public humanities internship with a public humanities organization that is not on the list of established partners, including international partners, which may be considered for approval for the program. If you are interested in discussing this possibility, please get in touch with Gabriela Garcia (program director) at gabriela.garcia@rice.edu.

Examples of graduate-level public humanities internships include:

  • Research and editorial/publishing work at a press or mass publication;
  • Research at an advocacy institution;
  • Communications for a mission-oriented organization;
  • Archival and digital humanities work at a museum or public library.
Eligibility


PhD students in the School of Humanities currently between years 1 and 6 who will be registered in Fall 2025 AND who will be in years 2 through 6 in Fall 2025. Applicants must have participated in the Resume & Cover Letter Workshop.

International students can participate in the internship program, but they need to apply for authorization. This process usually takes between 7 and 10 days, but arrangements should be made as soon as you are placed. For more information, please contact the Office of International Students and Scholars or visit https://oiss.rice.edu/cpt.

Application Information


Applications will be due on Monday, April 14, 11:59 PM.

This program is generously supported by the Mellon Foundation.