The Presbyterian Historical Society is pleased to award four Research Fellowship grants for 2024.

Luca Azuma, Ph.D. student at University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, N.C.); Dr. Elesha Coffman, Associate Professor of History at Baylor University (Waco, Texas); Dr. Emily Conroy-Krutz, Associate Professor at Michigan State University (East Lansing, Mich.); and Dr. Alderi Souza de Matos, Official Historian for Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPB) and Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Andrew Jumper Presbyterian Graduate Center, Mackenzie Presbyterian University (São Paulo, Brazil), are this year's grant recipients.

PHS’s Research Fellowship program awards travel grants of $2,500 for scholars, students, and independent researchers who demonstrate a need to work in the Society’s collection for a minimum of one week and whose normal place of residence is farther than seventy-five miles from Philadelphia.

The four grant recipients are pursuing a variety of research topics. Azuma was awarded a fellowship for the project "Upon a Rainbow Cross: a History of LGBTQ+ Christianity in North America," while Dr. Coffman is writing about "Making Religion News." Dr. Alderi is studying "Brazilian Presbyterian history," and Dr. Conroy-Krutz is researching for her project "Around the World with the Browns."

PHS's Director of Programs and Services, Natalie Shilstut, shares that this year, "We received a number of excellent applications, which made the review committee’s decision difficult. The research topics represented by this year’s fellows is outstanding, ranging from an exploration of the relationship between missionary work and US politics; an investigation into how religious journalism has changed over time and has been perceived by American media consumers; a history of LGTBQ+ theological debates in the United States; and a study of the changing relationship between the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the Brazilian Presbyterian Church (IPB). We look forward to welcoming these fellows to PHS later this year.” 

These four fellowships are funded through the donations we received on Giving Tuesday last year. Thank you again to everyone who donated!

Reference Archivist Charlene Peacock expressed excitement at the opportunity to welcome this year's fellows into the Reading Room. "PHS fellows make intensive use of our holdings and it is always fascinating to see where their inquiries lead," Peacock shared. "Their research brings new understanding to the voices in our collection and helps situate Presbyterian history within broader national and world history. I can’t wait to welcome this year’s research fellows to our reading room!"

PHS is accepting applications for next year’s Research Fellowships through February 3, 2025. Hear from previous Fellows and learn about the grant application process.