In addition to our collegiate internship program, FracTracker also offers a more flexible but rigorous Visiting Scholar Program. This program provides a unique opportunity for graduate students, post-docs, and other experts to further their scholarly endeavors with us. Subject areas can vary widely, from anthropology to environmental science; from renewables to oil and gas impacts.
Visiting scholars will work directly with the data, people, and organizations that function within their study of extractive industries. Typically the most effective way to conduct research is to participate as an active member in the community being studied. This program enriches both the work of FracTracker and the Visiting Scholar. In addition to presentations to staff and external partners, at the end of the term (as agreed upon by the Scholar and FracTracker), each Visiting Scholar must provide a report on the project’s outcomes and how it shaped his/her research interests and goals.
Visiting Scholars generally represent their home institutions or serve as independent researchers. In either case, each Visiting Scholar should seek financial compensation for their time through their home institutions or independent resources. FracTracker will provide the Visiting Scholar with office space and standard IT setup.
If you are interested in serving as a Visiting Scholar with FracTracker, please send us a proposal that outlines your project concept.
Within your proposal, please include: 1) A concise and clear explanation of the proposed study/project, with a work plan detailing the stages of the project and ways to identify the goals have been reached (maximum 2 pages); 2) An indication of which FracTracker office you would like to be based – please see our current list of offices across the U.S.; 3) References, including a support letter from institutional or departmental head (if representing an institution), or 2 reference letters if on independent study.
For more information or to submit a project proposal, please contact us at admin@fractracker.org.
Visualizing Environmental Injustice with Interactive Data: Cancer Alley, Louisiana
/by Guest AuthorThis article explores Cancer Alley, an 85-mile stretch in Louisiana that epitomizes the intersection of environmental justice and industrial development, where predominantly Black communities face disproportionate health risks from a high concentration of petrochemical plants and refineries.
Mapping the Invisible Threat: Emissions from Oil and Gas
/by FracTracker AllianceHazardous air emissions in Pennsylvania are often hidden, leaking from abandoned wells, seeping from pipelines, and wafting invisibly into the air. This analysis utilizes new technologies and mapping tools to reveal the full scope of the problem and identify areas of particular concern in the state.
The Importance of Surveying Rural Landowners in North Dakota on Fracking
/by FracTracker AllianceThere is a need for more research on the human impact of the oil and gas industry in North Dakota, particularly on landowners and farmers, to understand their experiences and address their concerns effectively.