W&M Libraries Faculty Scholar Program & Application
William & Mary Libraries believes access to information is a human right. We advocate to remove barriers to information and create new pathways to discovery, and have created this program to put our values into action. The W&M Libraries Faculty Scholar program was developed in 2016 to support open-access digital projects. The program has benefited the scholars by giving them focused time for scholarship, and the library has benefited from understanding how we can evolve to support new modes of scholarship. Tenured W&M faculty are eligible to apply with support from their department chair.
Goals of the Program:
- Advance new or existing research and make it openly accessible,
- Model faculty/library collaboration,
- Enhance collections,
- Expand alumni relationships,
- Support and promote library priorities to multiple constituencies.
The Scholar serves up to three academic years, during which W&M Libraries compensates the department or college $45,000 annually to offset the cost of instructional gaps while the Scholar is on assignment in the Library. Faculty members interested in this position are encouraged to schedule a discussion with their assigned library liaison to flesh out ideas and brainstorm collaboratively.
The position will begin in Spring 2024 and will reach conclusion by Fall 2025 or 2026, depending on the project. For more information, contact Lisa Nickel, Associate Dean of Research & Public Services, William & Mary Libraries at ltnickel@wm.edu.
Information Session March 29, 2023
W&M Libraries held a virtual information session about the Faculty Scholar position with Dean Carrie Cooper and past Faculty Scholars, Ann Marie Stock and Larry Leemis, on March 29, 2023. View the recording of the session above.
Application and review process:
Interested candidates should email a 1-2 page proposal along with your CV to Lisa NIckel, Associate Dean of Research & Public Services ltnickel@wm.edu. A committee comprised of the Dean of University Libraries, faculty who have occupied this role, the Publishing and Open Access Librarian, Special Collections Archivist, and Digital Services Librarian will review the proposals and finalists may be invited for an interview. Proposals are due Monday, April 24, 2023.
Include a summary or pitch for your idea. Explain why the library is an important co-creator or collaborator for the idea. Discuss your intended audience or beneficiaries of the project. List library collaborators (if you have those identified). Describe your project timeline and goals and/or outcomes for the project. Share with us how this project builds upon and connects to your previous research.
William & Mary Libraries, the organization and the individuals, are committed to fostering an environment where diversity, inclusion and equity are viewed as fundamental to our mission and integral to our service model on campus and in the broader community. We believe an environment that is open and welcoming to all patrons is crucial to fulfilling the research, teaching and service mission of the University. We strive to create a climate of belonging, which we believe promotes self-agency, participation, collaboration and innovation. Read the library's inclusive excellence plan.