writer-iresidence

Friends of Lakeside Lab Summer
Writer-in- Residence

Summer 2015

Students interested in writing about ecology, natural history, environmental ethics or related topics may apply for the Friends of Lakeside Writer-in-Residence Scholarship. The scholarship offers a $1000 stipend and three week residency in the natural setting of the Lakeside campus to explore topics and work on writing.

The selected writer will receive free room and board at the Lab in exchange for a public outreach project. This could take the form of a writing workshop for young learners, an article for a Lakeside Lab newsletter, or similar project developed in coordination with Lakeside staff.

The Scholarship is available when Lakeside’s summer courses are in session. For this year’s dates, see http://www.lakesidelab.org. The Writer in Residence is encouraged to attend a summer course while at Lakeside.

Upper level undergraduate and graduate students may apply. Please contact your advisor to determine if the opportunity qualifies for credit at your school. To apply, submit a concise proposal by e-mail to the Friends of Lakeside Lab’s Executive Director (see below), along with a letter of recommendation from your advisor and the preferred dates of your residency.

The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2015.

Acceptance notification will be made to writer by May 15, 2015.

Lisa Roti, Executive Director
Friends of Lakeside Lab
1838 Highway 86
Milford, IA 51351

Phone: 712-337-3669 ext. 1
E-mail: friendsoflakesidelab@gmail.com
Web site: friendsoflakesidelab.org

Fall 2015

The Friends of Lakeside Lab invite your application for the 12-week Writer-in-Residence program during the autumn of 2015 at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Regents Resource Center (ILLRRC). If selected, you will receive a $5,000 stipend, complimentary lodging at Lakeside Lab, and the opportunity to pursue your work unhindered in a quiet, natural setting.

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Regents Resource Center is a field station serving Iowa’s state universities, located on West Lake Okoboji in Northwest Iowa. Founded in 1909, it provides summer courses and research opportunities for college students and year-round public programs. The 147-acre campus is both a nature preserve and an historic district, with 11 structures on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Friends of Lakeside Lab is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 “to promote Lakeside Lab as a community resource for environmental education and water quality monitoring and research.” The Friends sponsor programs, provide scholarships, and volunteer for water monitoring, grounds stewardship, and special events.

Who is eligible? Applicants must be working on a graduate degree in writing or have recently completed such a degree at one of the Regents universities: the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, or the University of Northern Iowa.

Dates: The writer may begin any time after August 1 and should complete his or her stay by November 27, 2015.

Housing: The writer will be housed in a private cottage on a wooded bluff overlooking the lake. Spouses and children are welcome. Utilities, heat, central air conditioning, and internet service are provided. Meals and housekeeping service are not included, but the cottage contains a full kitchen. Pets are not allowed.

Requirements: The writer will be expected to complete a community outreach project of at least 10 contact hours. Projects should be developed in consultation with the Educational Coordinator at ILLRRC and can include, for example, public readings of the writer’s work and writing workshops for adults or K-12 students. The writer must also attend and present an oral report at one of the Friends monthly board of directors meetings. The Educational Coordinator may be reached after March 5 at 712-337-3669 ext. 7, jane-shuttleworth@uiowa.edu.

To apply, please submit the following:

  • a letter of application, explaining why you are interested and suited to be the writer in residence and describing the writing you propose to do
  • your curriculum vitae, which should include a list of publications • an outline of your community outreach project, including the target audience
  • samples of your writings equivalent to ten pages, either published or unpublished
  • at least two letters of recommendation
  • any other information that may be relevant to your application and you think the selection committee should review

Please submit all materials electronically as PDF files. (Letters of recommendation may be submitted on paper.)

Send applications and direct inquiries to:

Lisa Roti, Executive Director
Friends of Lakeside Lab
1838 Highway 86
Milford, IA 51351

Phone: 712-337-3669 ext. 1
E-mail: friendsoflakesidelab@gmail.com
Web site: friendsoflakesidelab.org

The deadline for applications is April 30, 2015. Acceptance notification will be made to writer by May 29, 2015. The selected applicant will need to pass a criminal background check because he/she will be working in an environment where children may be present.