Climate change is altering the landscapes and lifeways of many Native communities. The Haskell Environmental Research Studies (HERS) Summer Internship program is dedicated to preparing tribal college students for scientific and technical careers to help meet the challenges of climate change. The goal of the HERS Institute is to promote indigenous research and methodologies drawing on knowledge from Native locales and peoples to develop broad understandings and strategies for responding to climate change in Indigenous communities.

The HERS Summer Internship program is a collaboration among:

• Haskell Indian Nations University
• University of Kansas
• Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center
• American Indian & Alaska Native Climate Change Working Group
• Kansas NSF EPSCoR Program
• KU NSF C-CHANGE IGERT Program

The HERS Institute is a 8-week paid summer internship program. Interns spend six weeks on the Haskell campus during June and July in classrooms and laboratories learning about climate change and developing individual research projects. Interns spend another two weeks in July conducting independent research at Haskell, Kansas University, or in the field.

Interns will work closely with KU PhD students studying the impacts of climate change on natural and human systems and will design independent research projects on climate change in a Native community of their choice. After the summer program, during the academic year, HERS Interns will have several opportunities to present their work at professional meetings, workshops, and symposia around the country, including the National Science Foundation conference in Washington, D.C.

HERS interns will receive the following:
• summer stipend
• housing accommodations
• laptop computer and software

Interns will have access to KU’s libraries and research databases.

Applicants must complete two steps by April 1:

1. Send a one-page letter explaining your interest in a HERS internship and what you will contribute to the program to: anirtak@ku.edu
2. Ask your faculty advisor to send a letter recommending you for the HERS program to: anirtak@ku.edu. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Contact:

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