The Metadata Research Center (MRC) at Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics (CCI), in partnership with the Montana State University Library, UC San Diego Library, OCLC, and project LEADING Mentors/institutions, invites early-to-mid career library professionals and doctoral students to participate in the LIS Education and Data Science-Integrated Network Group (LEADING) program. This is a virtual fellowship program supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The deadline for applications is Monday, March 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
LEADING Fellows will complete the following:
- Self-paced online preparatory curriculum (~ approximately 10 hours, May 2021)
- Intensive 4-day data science boot camp at Drexel University with other LEADING fellows.
*due to the COVID-19 virus, online accommodations are underway
- Six-month virtual data science internship at a LEADING hub or node. View project descriptions on the LEADING website (*Note: LEADING fellows may have on-site interaction, depending on their location)
- Development of a communication plan to connect with mentor/s on a regular basis
- Development of research output (e.g., a paper, poster, and presentation, published data, etc.)
Fellowship Support
- Fellowship stipend: up to $6,000 (~10-15 hours per week, June-December 2021)
- Barring COVID-19 restrictions, travel support provided to present project outcomes at relevant conference. Travel support also provided for fellows to visit mentors
Fellowship Eligibility
- LEADING Fellowships are open to early-to-mid career library professionals, or doctoral students enrolled in iSchool or ALA-accredited LIS programs.
- IMLS support is restricted to persons currently based in the U.S.
Application Requirements
Visit the LEADING application page for more information
Applicants must complete the application form and upload the requested application materials. Fill out the online application form
- A one-page statement sharing your interest in the LEADING program and the selected fellowship sites. Your one-page statement must address why you seek to learn about the intersection of library science and data science, and your career goals
- A two-page bio-sketch (any format is acceptable; view the NSF template [PDF])
- For doctoral students: A letter of reference from your advisor or mentor
- For early-to mid-career professionals: A letter of reference from a supervisor
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DE&I)
The LEADING program is committed to attracting and recruiting a diverse cohort of fellows. The LEADING team will strive to provide learning environments that are welcoming, inclusive, and equitable. The College demonstrates its commitment and support through the CCI Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council with representation of current students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty and professional staff. The Council works to support CCI and University-led DE&I initiatives.
This project is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services' Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program to advance LIS doctoral education in data science. The LEADING project partners with 14 member nodes that serve as project mentoring sites. Member node institutions include: The Academy of Natural Sciences; California Digital Library; Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio, Temple University Libraries; Tish Library, Tufts University; Movement Alliance Project; AI-Collaboratory, University of Maryland iSchool; Kislak Center for Special Collections, University of Pennsylvania Libraries; Kline Law Library-Drexel; Northeastern University Libraries; OCLC Research; Smithsonian Libraries; University of New Mexico; University of North Texas; and the University of Rochester.