Artisan Undergraduate Intern

Job Title: ARTISAN Undergraduate Student Intern

Organization: George Mason University – Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Program
Department: CIRCLE (Creating Impactful Research Connections through Learning and Engagement)
Work Location: Fairfax, VA (On-campus / Project-based) and sites visits to cemeteries in Fairfax County, Gettysburg, VA, Richmond, VA, and Martinsburg, WV
Position Type: Part-Time Internship
Compensation: $18 per hour
Duration: Up to 4 months
Hours: Up to 10 hours per week

About the Program

ARTISAN (Accelerating Research Translation Integrated Student Ambassador Network) is an initiative at George Mason University, developed within the first cohort of universities supported by the National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program. ARTISAN connects undergraduate students to research translation efforts—helping move research and technology from discovery to real-world, use-inspired applications with societal and economic impact. The program enhances the undergraduate experience through innovation, research engagement, and community impact.

About the CIRCLE Project

Our project team will focus on building sustained community partnerships with historic cemeteries in Fairfax County, working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community members to support outreach, documentation, and preservation efforts. In addition, the team will participate in supervised site visits to Gettysburg National Cemetery, Spring Hill Cemetery, and Hollywood Cemetery to learn about broader challenges facing historic cemeteries and to study effective strategies for public engagement, care, and preservation. A portion of our summer work takes place in active cemetery environments and requires professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and comfort working outdoors.

Position Overview

ARTISAN Undergraduate Student Intern work directly on the CIRCLE project, under the supervision of Dr. Michelle LaFrance. The intern will contribute to the planning, implementation, and project deliverables related to research translation.

Applicants will gain structured, mentored internship experience designed to provide hands-on exposure to research translation activities.

Support for this position is contingent upon continued availability of funding under George Mason’s NSF cooperative agreement.

Responsibilities

The intern will assist with observing, documenting, and supporting community-based activities in these spaces, which may include walking tours, public programs, volunteer activities, and informal interactions with staff and visitors. 

• Assist CIRCLE project teams with planning and executing research translation activities
• Contribute to project deliverables and documentation
• Participate in the summer discovery process of CIRCLE projects (as applicable)
• Attend required ARTISAN mentoring and evaluation meetings
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and student team members
• Specific responsibilities will be determined jointly by the ISE Team and the CIRCLE Project Lead based on project needs

What You’ll Gain as an Intern

• Direct experience in research translation and community engagement initiatives
• Mentorship from the GMU Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Team and Dr. Michelle LaFrance
• Exposure to the broader research translation ecosystem
• Networking within the ART community
• Leadership and professional development skills

Minimum Qualifications

• Current undergraduate student at George Mason University
• Interest in research translation and community-engaged research, in the public humanities, history, writing, environmental studies, environmental communications, communications, or related fields
• Strong observational, writing, communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to commit up to 10 hours per week for up to 4 months
• Ability to travel by car to project sites in VA and nearby states
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework in writing studies, communications, history, anthropology, public history, or environmental humanities
• Experience with interviews, storytelling, or public-facing writing
• Comfort working outdoors (weather and uneven terrain)

Compensation & Schedule

• Pay: $18/hour
• Hours: Up to 10 hours per week (based on workload and availability)
• Term: Up to 4 months
• Start/End Dates: Determined collaboratively by the ISE Team and CIRCLE Project Lead, Dr. Michelle LaFrance

How to Apply

Submit your application through Handshake. Selected candidates may be contacted for an interview with the CIRCLE Project Lead and ART Team.