Densho Encyclopedia Graduate Internship

Apply by April 30

About Densho
Densho is a Seattle-based non-profit organization started in 1996, with the initial goal of documenting oral histories from Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II. This evolved into a mission to educate, preserve, collaborate and inspire action for equity. Densho leverages digital technology to both preserve and provide access to invaluable primary source materials on the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. We present these materials and related resources for their historic value and as a means of exploring critical issues of democracy, intolerance, wartime hysteria, civil rights and the responsibilities of citizenship in our increasingly interconnected global society.

Job Description
Densho is excited to offer a remote internship opportunity for graduate students to be part of a project to update the online Densho Encyclopedia, widely recognized as the go-to resource on the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Interns will assist the editorial team in a systematic update of core articles that will involve editing, proofreading, adding new resources, and doing research on new primary sources. Interns will also have the opportunity to contribute to the encyclopedia based on their own research interests. The internship will provide candidates with hands-on experience in historical research, content development, and an opportunity to contribute to Densho’s vital mission of preserving and sharing Japanese American history. 

The internship begins in June 2024 and must end by September 30, 2024, for a total of 240 hours at $25 per hour, not to exceed 30 hours per week, no benefits, completed over a ten to twelve week period. The ideal candidate is self‐directed, detail‐oriented, and comfortable with technology. Candidates must have a demonstrated research interest in the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, along with strong writing and research skills. 

Eligibility

Interns must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution of higher education.

Apply

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter, along with one letter of support and a writing sample, to Brian Niiya at [email protected] by April 30, 2024. Please include “Encyclopedia Intern” in the subject line. All applications will be held in confidence. All submissions and questions should be sent via email – no phone inquiries please.

The internships are funded, in part, by a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program.

Learn more about this opportunity here.