ASOR’s Summer Stipend Program is underway for summer 2021! May is usually when many ASOR members and students travel to undertake fieldwork. With travel still uncertain this year, ASOR launched its inaugural Summer Stipend Program. Through this initiative, Summer Stipend recipients have the opportunity to work with directors of ASOR-affiliated archaeological projects on non-fieldwork components of archaeological research.

Fueling this effort is ASOR’s commitment to expanding the diversity of our membership and supporting the next generation of scholars. ASOR seeks to increase the diversity of grant applicants by encouraging applications from BIPOC scholars and students, increasing visibility and engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and community colleges, and providing financial support. This year, ASOR awarded 27 summer stipends, 6 of which went to BIPOC students.

Mentorship is a key component of the Summer Stipend Program. Over the course of the summer, stipend recipients will be taking part in monthly cohort meetings designed to assist with professional development. To continue support beyond the summer, we are also starting a mentorship program that pairs Summer Stipend students with ASOR members. The goal here is to encourage the next generation of ASOR scholars by connecting them with a supportive network that offers sound professional advice, and encourages participation on ASOR-affiliated excavation projects and in the Annual Meeting.

Interested in mentoring a student? Take a moment to fill out our Mentor Profile here. Our goal is to pair mentors and mentees by the end of the summer.

ASOR’s mentorship initiatives do not start or stop here! Numerous ASOR groups are involved with mentoring the next generation of ASOR scholars and members. The ASOR Initiative on the Status of Women has been hosting mentoring roundtable lunches at the Annual Meeting for many years. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and the Early Career Scholars Committee are both also involved in efforts to support students and encourage their involvement in ASOR.

With so many avenues for ASOR members to get involved with mentoring, we hope you will find the right fit for you!