2026 FGSS VPUE Summer Internship Opportunities

The Program in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (FGSS) is offering three full time paid research opportunities for Stanford undergraduates to participate in faculty-led research projects over 10 weeks in Summer 2026. Student researchers will work directly with a faculty member on their current research, gaining significant experience in developing a research project, identifying and pursuing research leads, and delivering tangible, meaningful outcomes. 

Project 1: Queer and Deviant Classics

Faculty Member: Dr. Miriam Leah Kamil, Assistant Professor, Classics

Project Description:

This research project focuses on the reception of classical antiquity among marginalized and politically progressive American subcultures. The faculty member is currently researching, writing, and editing a scholarly book examining how various communities have interpreted and engaged with classical texts and figures. The book explores multiple case studies including: queer readings of Sappho and Plato; combat veterans' interpretations of Homer; wiccan readings of Greek and Roman goddesses; and Black readings of Cleopatra VII.

Student Responsibilities:

• Cross-check citations for accuracy and completeness across multiple chapters
• Proofread manuscript content for clarity, consistency, and adherence to academic standards
• Create and maintain comprehensive indexes for the book
• Locate primary literature (poetry and novels) and secondary scholarship in physical and digital library collections
• Read and synthesize scholarly and literary materials for the chapter on Black readings of Cleopatra VII
• Assist with citation management using bibliographic software

Learning Outcomes:

Students will:

• Develop advanced copyediting skills and attention to detail in academic writing
• Gain proficiency in Chicago style citations and citation management software (e.g., Zotero)
• Learn effective research strategies for locating materials in physical and digital library systems
• Understand the scholarly book production process from research to publication
• Explore interdisciplinary approaches connecting classical studies with race, gender, sexuality, and cultural studies
• Build critical reading and synthesis skills across diverse literary and scholarly sources

Desired Skills:

• Curiosity and enthusiasm about classical antiquity and its impact on the modern day
• Copyediting experience
• Familiarity with citation management software (e.g., Zotero)
• Knowledge of Chicago style citations
• Scrupulous attention to detail
• Ability to locate literature and scholarship in libraries (physical and digital)
• Knowledge of Latin or Greek welcome but not required 

Project 2: Institutionalizing Women's Rights and Power in Times of Transition and Right-Wing Backlash

Faculty Member: Dr. Mona Tajali, Director of Undergraduate Studies, FGSS

Project Description:

This comparative research project examines National Women's Machineries (NWMs) and Gender Equality Machineries (GEMs) across several countries in the Global South, with initial focus on Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh, and Syria. The research investigates how women's rights and political empowerment become institutionalized during periods of democratic transition or democratic backlash. The project analyzes institutional designs, effectiveness, and challenges faced by these gender equality mechanisms in contexts of political upheaval and right-wing resistance.

Student Responsibilities:

• Collect and organize data on National Women's Machineries and Gender Equality Machineries from official websites and UN Women registries
• Review and become familiar with key UN documents including the Beijing Platform of Action, CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), and DEDAW (Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women)
• Support research and data collection efforts across multiple countries
• Provide translation or transcription of interviews (for Dari or Persian speakers)
• Assist in organizing a multi-country webinar on institutionalization of women's rights and political empowerment
• Coordinate with international scholars and practitioners in the field

Learning Outcomes:

Students will:

• Gain expertise in international women's rights frameworks and UN mechanisms
• Develop comparative research skills across multiple national contexts
• Understand the challenges of institutionalizing gender equality in diverse political environments
• Build knowledge of democratic transitions and authoritarian backsliding from a gender perspective
• Network with international scholars and practitioners in gender and development
• Enhance cross-cultural research competencies and sensitivity
• Develop translation and transcription skills (for language speakers)
• Learn event planning and coordination for international academic events

Desired Skills:

• Dari or Persian language proficiency (preferred but not required)
• Interest in gender equality, women's rights, and international development
• Strong organizational and data collection skills
• Ability to navigate international organizations' websites and databases
• Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity

Project 3: Women's and Gender Studies Programs in Higher Education (HEIDIVE Lab)

Faculty Member: Dr. Christine Min Wotipka, Associate Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Education

Project Description:

The Higher Education and Diversity (HEIDIVE) Lab is conducting a comprehensive study titled "Women's and Gender Studies Programs in Higher Education Institutions in the U.S. and Globally, 1980–2025." This research examines the development, expansion, and evolution of Women's and Gender Studies programs across higher education institutions over four decades, analyzing patterns, trends, and transformations in the institutionalization of gender studies as an academic field both domestically and internationally.

Student Responsibilities:

• Collect and verify data from library materials, institutional websites, and academic databases
• Conduct systematic literature reviews on Women's and Gender Studies programs
• Write research memos and outlines synthesizing findings
• Perform quantitative data analysis using Stata
• Participate in bi-weekly lab meetings with research team members
• Attend weekly office hours with faculty and lab members
• Contribute to additional research tasks aligned with student interests and lab priorities
• Collaborate with doctoral student research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars

Learning Outcomes:

Students will:

• Build skills in social science research methods, including data collection, verification, and analysis
• Develop quantitative data analysis proficiency using Stata
• Learn to critically evaluate and synthesize social science research studies
• Strengthen academic writing skills through research memos and outlines
• Enhance teamwork and communication skills through collaboration with diverse lab members
• Gain preparation for writing research proposals and academic papers (e.g., honors theses)
• Explore pathways toward graduate study in education, sociology, and related fields
• Understand the institutional dynamics of higher education and curriculum development
• Receive professional acknowledgment through website recognition and potential co-authorship opportunities

Desired Skills:

• Detail-oriented and self-directed work style
• Strong communication skills
• Interest in gender studies and higher education
• Proficiency in Google Workspace
• Quantitative data analysis skills and experience with Stata (particularly desired)