The Junior Gaines Fellow's Engagement Project requires the conception of a project that uses the applied humanities to increase understanding of how Humanities functions within our community. Projects are typically tied to the annual theme and students are expected to consult with professional liaisons in and around our community to ensure responsible goals and outreach related to the project.
Check out some examples of recent projects, below!
For the Gaines' year of Health and the Humanities, the 2024-2026 cohort of undergraduate student fellows were tasked with collecting oral histories from patients, physicians, nurses, board members and community members at the Post Clinic in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. In collaboration with the UK Nunn Center for Oral History and the UK Special Collections Library, the students created a permanent archive to house their findings so that they can be accessible broadly.
For the Gaines' year of Monsters and Myths, the 2023-2025 cohort created a collaborative, student-run art exhibit entitled “Monsters and Myths of Substance Abuse in Kentucky.” Located in the Commonwealth House and sponsored by a grant from the UK Women and Philanthropy, the exhibit showcased work from UK physicians, researchers, artists, poets, dancers, authors and more (contributed by both faculty, students, and community members). The students worked collaboratively with a number of departments on campus and within our community including the Hope Center, Dv8, and more. They archived the exhibit in a publicly accessible digital catalog .
