The Plant Humanities Initiative at Dumbarton Oaks, a Harvard research center in Washington, DC, is an interdisciplinary endeavor that brings together the humanities, plant sciences, and arts to understand human cultures through the lens of plants. The initiative emphasizes the digital and public humanities through a flagship digital site, the Plant Humanities Lab, and a monthly series of engaging and accessible articles published by JSTOR Daily that have reached more than 100,000 readers.
In partnership with the Harvard FAS Mignone Center for Career Success, the Plant Humanities Initiative and Dumbarton Oaks offer a three-week virtual Arts & Museums January Internship to research and develop an illustrated plant essay (1500-2000 words) for the Plant of the Month series. The internship will take place from Monday, January 4 to Friday, January 22, 2027. A stipend is provided through the Harvard FAS Mignone Center for Career Success.
Under the guidance of the Plant Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow, the intern will identify and research a plant of contemporary relevance, select primary sources and images, compose a draft for peer review, then address editorial comments and prepare the essay for publication. Past interns and fellows have written on topics as diverse as carnivorous plants, the ethics of conservation and cultural appropriation surrounding white sage, and issues such as climate change, economic inequity, and racial associations through a case-study of pawpaw. The intern will also receive digital humanities training in the use of Juncture, a visual essay tool we developed for the project’s digital site, the Plant Humanities Lab, and may contribute a future essay to the Lab.
We welcome applications from students in the sciences, arts, and humanities who have a strong interest in the cultural histories of plants and a desire to develop their digital and communication skills.
Candidates should have strong writing skills and an ability to meet deadlines. Through the internship, they will receive training in the use of primary sources and digital repositories, feedback on how to write for a broad audience, and the satisfaction of seeing their work published in an outstanding digital magazine. This is also a great opportunity to acquire or hone basic DH skills. Applicants should apply via Crimson Careers. Any questions about the opportunity can be directed to PlantHumanities@doaks.org.
***This position is part of the MCS 2026-2027 Arts & Museums January Internship Program. The program is a valuable chance for currently enrolled Harvard College students to complete a three-week, project-based internship in the Boston area during the January term (January4th -22nd, excluding Martin Luther King Jr. Day). MCS will offer a $750 stipend as well as on-campus housing to any student who completes a winternship. To be considered, you must apply in Crimson Careers.
Students applying for an Arts & Museums Winter Internship who require on-campus housing must also apply for Wintersession housing before the Housing Office’s Round 1 deadline in early October via the Residential Portal Winter Recess Housing – College Housing. Please note that you do not need to have interviewed for or received an internship offer in order to submit this housing application. Applying by the deadline is necessary to avoid the $50 late application fee assessed by the Housing Office. Other internships take place outside of Boston and provide their own housing.
If you have any questions about the Arts & Museums January Internship program, feel free to contact Amy DiGiovine at adigiovine@fas.harvard.edu.***
