What is the Fellows Academy?
The EVC Fellows Academy is a professional development program for associate professors at UC Santa Cruz. In 2022-23, the focus of the EVC Fellows Academy is associate professors whose writing productivity was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is based on writing support in small groups and is focused on those faculty who could benefit from a writing support group, including those working on books, journal articles, and films. The approach is inspired by Wendy Belcher’s “Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks,” which may be fruitfully used for books or other kinds of scholarly publications.
How Do I Apply?
Any associate professor may apply. However, faculty who will be on sabbatical or leave, or undergoing a promotion review during the 2021-22 academic year are not eligible. If a faculty member has requested a sabbatical for 2021-22 and they are accepted as a fellow, with the approval of their chair and dean, they may cancel their sabbatical in order to participate in this program.
What should I submit with my application?
Include a 500-word description of your research project(s) and its current stage of development, a 250-word statement about the barriers you have faced in furthering your research as a result of the pandemic and how this program will help, and a copy of your CV or bio-bibliography. In consultation with your department chair, your dean will be asked to comment on your research project and the impact of your participation in this program on your progress towards promotion.
What are the criteria for selection?
Fellows will be chosen based on the excellence of the proposed research project, the impact of the pandemic on their research productivity (including impact from caregiving responsibilities), and the ability of their research productivity to benefit from this writing group format. Because of the writing group format, this program is focused on faculty who will be able to productively write during 2021-22; this program is not appropriate for faculty who are not at a writing stage of their research, those faculty are recommended to do the other needed work in 2021-22 and apply for the 2022-23 cohort. This program is open to faculty in all divisions who might benefit from participating in a writing support group. Preference will be given to faculty who have not previously participated in the EVC Fellows Academy.
What is the application process?
Applications are due Friday, April 23, 2021 at 5pm to your dean. We ask deans to forward these applications with their recommendations to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Herbie Lee (vpaa@ucsc.edu), by Friday, April 30, 2021. A committee with faculty representatives and led by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs will review all nominations and select participants.
What benefits do fellows receive?
Each fellow will be granted one course release for the year to provide more focused time for research and writing. No sabbatical credits are needed for participation. Fellows also receive $1,500 for research support, including professional development or engaging a development editor.
How does the program work?
The fellows will meet at least monthly during the fall, winter, and spring quarters to discuss their writing projects and may choose to meet more frequently or during the summer months as well.
What if I have additional questions?
Email Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Herbie Lee at vpaa@ucsc.edu.