Dole Institute Archive Announces 2014 Research Fellow


LAWRENCE – The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas has awarded its 2014 Research Fellowship.

The 2014 fellow is Amanda C. Demmer, a doctoral student at the University of New Hampshire studying American history. Her dissertation, “'The Last Chapter of the Vietnam War’: Normalization, Non-governmental Actors and the Politics of Human Rights, 1975-1995,” explores how domestic groups and institutions influenced the normalization process, including the resumption of official diplomatic ties between the United States and Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

“Senator Dole, himself a WWII veteran, maintained an active interest throughout his career in human rights issues related to the ongoing effects of war and its aftermath, not only for U.S. citizens and veterans, but for those remaining in zones of former conflict, “ said Dole Archives senior archivist Audrey Coleman. “Ms. Demmer’s research will focus on the senator’s work in this area and shed light on its influence on broader international policy development.”

The Research Fellowship is a $2,500 award. Established in 2010, the fellowship program provides grants to scholars engaged in projects studying Congress, politics or policy issues on a national or international scale. Support for the fellowship is generously provided by the Friends of the Dole Institute.

“The collections held at the Dole Archives will be instrumental in gauging Congress’ perception of non-governmental actors attempting to influence policy," Demmer said. "Senator Dole’s longstanding tenure in Congress makes his collection the perfect place to get a sense of how Congress framed, discussed and perceived normalization and refugee issues.”

Demmer will visit the Dole Institute to conduct her research sometime in the 2014-2015 award year.

For more information on these or other research opportunities at the Dole Institute, visit the archives website or call (785) 864-4900.

The Robert J. Dole Archive & Special Collections at the Dole Institute of Politics is home to one of the nation’s largest collections of papers and artifacts for a nonpresidential politician.  It contains the complete records of Dole’s political and post-political career, including, correspondence, legislative research files, memoranda, speeches, press material, schedules, briefing books, and campaign files.  The archives also hold a photograph collection of over 25,000 images; an audio-visual collection; an extensive collection of oral histories; as well as collection of over 5,000 artifacts, textiles, and artworks. The collection is a window to the legislative process as well as a resource for Kansas history and a chronicle of late 20th century history and popular culture.

The Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting public service, civic engagement and politics. It is located on KU’s west campus and, in addition to the Archive & Special Collections, offers programming with world-renowned guest speakers on a variety of topics that intersect politics. All programs are free and open to the public.

Tue, 06/03/2014

author

Melanie Coen

Media Contacts

Melanie Coen

Dole Institute of Politics

785-864-1156