June 2019

THROWBACK THURSDAYS: The Kensington Runestone

In an era where conspiracy theories get national attention, disinformation spreads on social media, and some politicians trade on a mythologized version of America’s past, it’s fascinating to look back at a hoax that captured many imaginations at the turn of the 20th century: the Kensington Runestone. The Runestone was “discovered” in 1898 and purportedly told the story of Viking missionaries who traveled to Minnesota in 1362, more than a century before other Europeans reached this continent.

Elana Shever, Scholar in Residence

Finding Our Beasts: People, Dinosaurs, and Science in the American West

While at the IAS for the 2019-20 academic year, I will be writing Finding Our Beasts: People, Dinosaurs, and Science in the American West. This book-length ethnography explores paleontological science, education and entertainment at public parks, museums, research facilities, and entertainment sites in the northern Great Plains, the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and other sites where people find dinosaurs and recreations of the prehistoric world.

Elana Shever, Scholar in Residence

Finding Our Beasts: Encountering Dinosaurs and Science in the American West

While at the IAS for the 2019-20 academic year, anthropologist Elana Shever will be writing Finding Our Beasts: Encountering Dinosaurs and Science in the American West. This book-length ethnography explores paleontological science, education and entertainment at public parks, museums, research facilities and tourist sites. The book examines how people’s encounters with prehistoric creatures incite them to reconsider their own humanity and animality.

OPEN POSITION: Grants Consultant (30 hr/wk)

The Institute for Advanced Study seeks a Grants Consultant. The Grant Consultant will manage all stages of grants and other funding opportunities for the Institute and will work with IAS affiliates (including conveners of IAS-funded collaboratives and IAS residential fellows) to develop proposals. We seek someone with experience in grant seeking and grant writing who can expand the range of internal and external awards for the IAS, and who is interested in continuing their own professional development.