Nonduke Student/Intern

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As a RePlant Project Research & Practice Team Member, you'll contribute to an innovative interdisciplinary initiative that explores the relationship between culture, history, ecology, and restoration. Whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, researchers, and community members while helping cultivate spaces that honor the agricultural traditions and foodways of Black and Native communities in the American South.

This role welcomes students with diverse academic interests and experiences. No prior agricultural experience is required, just curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to engage in both intellectual and hands-on work.

Be Bold.

The Duke Campus Farm and the Franklin Humanities Institute are seeking up to four student team members to support the RePlant Project, a year-long initiative in the plant humanities centered on the concept of critical restoration.

Through research, community engagement, and garden stewardship, team members will help activate the Duke Campus Farm's Cackalacky Heritage Garden and Southeastern American Indian Garden (SAIG). Together, we will explore important questions about land stewardship, ecological restoration, cultural memory, and the communities connected to these landscapes.

This is an exciting opportunity for students interested in:

• Public Humanities
• Environmental Humanities
• Black and Native Foodways
• Cultural and Agricultural Studies
• Community-Engaged Research
• The Intersection of Theory and Practice

What You'll Do:

• Participate actively in a faculty and graduate student working group focused on critical restoration concepts and practices.
• Engage in humanities-based research related to the RePlant Project and its goals.
• Support the cultivation, care, and maintenance of crops with cultural significance for Black and Native communities of the American South.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate at least one public-facing workshop connecting the Cackalacky Heritage Garden and/or SAIG to the Composting Theory workshop series.
• Collaborate with Duke Campus Farm staff to develop, document, and refine garden protocols.
• Create a public-facing teaching module that can be utilized by future Duke Campus Farm staff and visitors.
• Present research findings and project outcomes to the broader RePlant working group.
• Participate in the OCS Research and Campus Impact Showcase.
• Complete pre- and post-program assessment surveys and submit a final written reflection.

What You'll Bring:

• Current undergraduate or graduate student status.
• Interest in environmental, public, or cultural humanities.
• Enthusiasm for collaborative research and experiential learning.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to participate in outdoor activities and garden-based work.
• Interest in issues related to sustainability, restoration, foodways, agriculture, and community engagement.

Commitment

• Weekly commitment of approximately 1 to 4 hours.
• Participation in 6 to 7 working group meetings throughout the academic year.
• Combination of research, collaborative learning, public engagement, and outdoor fieldwork.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll find opportunities to connect scholarship with action, explore innovative approaches to environmental and cultural challenges, and contribute to meaningful community-centered work. Through the RePlant Project, you'll gain valuable experience in interdisciplinary research, public engagement, and applied learning while helping shape educational resources that will benefit future students and community members.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join a collaborative effort that bridges humanities research, ecological stewardship, and cultural preservation. Apply today and help cultivate knowledge, community, and meaningful change through the RePlant Project.