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Black History Archives Student Residency

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About

Concordia University Library’s Special Collections and Archives houses a large and growing collection of Black history and community archives that serve as an important record of the histories and contributions of Montreal’s English-speaking Black communities. The Black history and community archives preserved by the Library contain records documenting the activities and interests of community organizations and individuals and cover a wide variety of topics, including community activism, social justice, politics, arts and culture, social and economic issues, and education, among many others. The archives include textual records, such as newspapers, reports, correspondence, and financial documents; photographic materials; artworks; oral histories; and more.

The Black History Archives Student Residency in Special Collections and Archives offers a Concordia student enrolled in full or part-time studies at any level the opportunity to discover and explore the materials held by the Library’s Special Collections and Archives; to learn about archives and using primary sources; and to develop their research skills in a supported and stimulating environment.

The student resident will have the freedom to explore any of the materials in the Library’s Special Collections and Archives, though it is hoped that the Black history and community archives will be activated through this research and discovery focused residency.

The student resident will work to complete a project based on what they have learned about in the archives held in Special Collections and Archives. The final project could be a research paper; a newspaper or magazine article; a creative work, such as a 2D or 3D artwork; an exhibition; a website; an interactive timeline or data mapping project; an oral history interview; a community-based initiative; an educational resource, or anything in between. The outcome will be driven by student interest. It is hoped that the project proposed will include a public-facing component, in which the results of their work can be shared widely, though this is not a requirement. The student will be able to deposit a copy of their final project in Special Collections and Archives if they wish to do so.

Objectives of the program

  • To support the research and learning goals of the student resident by providing a supported opportunity to work with rare and archival materials held in the collection of the Library’s Special Collections and Archives.
  • To foster student interest and engagement with archives and archival research.
  • To activate the Black History archives through research and hands-on exploration.
  • To connect the Black History archives preserved at Concordia University Library with a new generation of learners and community members.

Features of the program

  • The residency will run for a period of 8 weeks at 15 hours per week.
  • The student resident will conduct their research and complete their project outcome at the Vanier Library located on Concordia’s Loyola Campus. Some offsite work may be undertaken on an as-needed basis and determined in discussion with the Special Collections Librarian and Archivist.
  • The resident’s schedule will be determined in consultation with the Special Collections Librarian and Archivist. Normally, the student will spend two or three days per week at the Library, between from 9:00am to 5:00pm, depending on their availabilities.
  • This is a paid student resident program. The rate of pay is determined using the scale established by Concordia University. For undergraduate students, the rate of pay is currently $19.95 per hour. Master’s students receive $24.95 per hour, and PhD students receive $33.59 per hour of work.
  • The student in residence will have the opportunity to engage with and be supported by all members of the Special Collections and Archives team.
  • Instruction in how to conduct primary source research, how to cite archival resources, and understanding copyright will be offered at the start of the residency.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in any Concordia faculty (full or part-time). They must be enrolled at the time of application and be eligible for student work for the duration of the residency.
  • Applicants must be registered with The NouLa Centre for Black Students.

How to apply

Please submit an expression of interest 1 page in length (approximately 500 words).

  • Tell us a bit about yourself.
  • Why are you interested in learning about and working with archival materials?
  • What is your knowledge and/or experience with the collections available at Special Collections and Archives? Which collections are you interested in using?
  • How does this residency opportunity align with your interests and/or goals?
  • And a brief description of your anticipated project outcome.
  • It is hoped that the project proposed will include a public-facing component.
  • Please note that it is not necessary to have your outcome firmly defined at this stage.
  • Expressions of interest should be submitted as a PDF file to Natalia Diaz, Special Collection Librarian and Archivist, at Employment.Library@concordia.ca.

Deadline and anticipated start date

  • The deadline for receiving expressions of interest is March 16, 2026, at 9:00 AM. They may be submitted in either English or French.
  • The successful applicant will be notified in April 2026.
  • Anticipated start date: Weeks of May 11 or May 18, 2026. Note that Concordia University is closed on Monday May 18, 2026, for National Patriots’ Day.

Questions about the program or how to apply can be directed to Natalia Diaz, Special Collections Librarian and Archivist, at natalia.diaz@concordia.ca.