Hazel D. Cole Fellowship

*Applications for the two-year Cole Fellowship will reopen in fall 2025.*

The Stroum Center for Jewish Studies offers the Hazel D. Cole Fellowship, a two-year in-residence fellowship that supports a deserving doctoral or postdoctoral fellow in Jewish studies at the University of Washington in Seattle.

One year of the fellowship may be used as a dissertation completion fellowship (the candidate must demonstrate the intention to complete by the end of the first academic year) or for post-doctoral work (Ph.D. or foreign equivalent within the past three  years) in any field of Jewish studies.

The Cole Fellow will contribute to the Stroum Center’s intellectual community, and teach one quarter-long twice-weekly undergraduate lecture course per year. The Cole Fellow is also expected to offer one public lecture each year. The fellowship includes a stipend of $62,500 plus benefits for each academic year, as well as access to the UW libraries.

The Cole Fellow must agree to remain in residence at the University of Washington in Seattle during the academic year for the tenure of their fellowship. An additional affiliation with a disciplinary department at the university will be strongly encouraged, depending on the scholar’s research interests.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong academic record, focused research agenda, and enthusiasm about the resources available at the University of Washington. In addition, preference will be granted to applicants who propose lecture courses likely to attract a broad and diverse group of students. While discipline and field of study are open, the search committee has identified several thematic priorities:

  • Jewish-Muslim relations
  • Gender & sexuality
  • Jews and race
  • Jewish languages and cultures of the Middle East, Central Asia, or Africa
  • Digital Jewish studies
  • Jewish philosophy

How to apply for the fellowship

Applications for the fellowship are typically accepted every three years. The next application window will open in fall 2025.

Finalists will be notified in late winter and decisions will be made by mid-March.

The University of Washington is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

About the Hazel D. Cole Fellowship

Hazel D. Cole was an active participant in the Seattle Jewish community, holding leadership positions in the Seattle chapter of Hadassah, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle Women’s Division, and ORT (Organization for Rehabilitation and Training). Cole’s sister and brother-in-law, Althea Stroum and Samuel Stroum, established the Hazel D. Cole Fellowship at the University of Washington in her memory in 1991.

Curious about past Hazel D. Cole Fellows? View a list of past fellows and their research topics.

About the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies

Based in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies is home to the flagship Jewish Studies program of the Pacific Northwest, with more than two dozen affiliated faculty members. Our offerings include an undergraduate major and minor, as well as an interdisciplinary graduate fellowship that supports graduate students from a wide variety of disciplines.

Our faculty conduct cutting-edge research in fields ranging from comparative ancient religions to early modern philosophy and contemporary politics. The Center also presents a wide variety of public programming, including arts and cultural events and academic symposia. Through our website, jewishstudies.washington.edu, our innovative digital projects, and our strong social media presence, the Stroum Center seeks to engage students and the broader community in Jewish studies scholarship.