A group of REACH Fellows at UNC Pembroke recently traveled to Montreal, Canada, to attend the 2024–2025 National Council on Public History (NCPH) Conference.
The five students — Skyla Miller, Jacob Fischak Talbert, Sheena Holbrook, Kristin Stowell and Ahelayous Oxouzidis were accompanied by mentors Drs. Michele Fazio and Christopher Woolley.
The NCPH’s annual conference brings together academics in history to share historical knowledge on a wide range of topics. Dr. Fazio organized a panel discussion on the Federal Writers’ Project, bringing together scholars from the U.S. and Canada to discuss “Working-Class Solidarity in the Federal Writers’ Project Archives: A Roundtable Discussion.”
Funding for REACH (Research Engagement Action Community Humanities) supports research site visits nationwide, offsets the cost of applying to graduate school and sends fellows to conferences to present their research.
Fazio invited REACH Fellows to give lightning talk presentations of their research projects at the end of the panel.
“They did a tremendous job articulating both clearly and confidently their examination of race in the FWP archives,” Fazio said. “Audience members were impressed by the range of their study and encouraged us to consider publishing our work. I was thrilled to allow Fellows to share their research with such a diverse group of academics and practitioners.”
Oxouzidis, a graduating REACH fellow, presented his research at the conference's poster session.
Stowell said she was proud to witness her classmates in action. “I loved that the REACH Fellows who attended NCPH got to cheer on Ahe as he shared his knowledge with attendees,” Stowell said. “
All participating Fellows engaged in professional development throughout the conference by attending panels and immersing themselves in discussions with academics from all over. The Fellows were particularly surprised at how many North Carolina locals attended to present their research.
“The National Public History Conference in Montreal was truly an enriching experience,” Holbrook said. “Beyond the insightful sessions and engaging discussions, I was captivated by the city itself – the vibrant culture, the incredibly delicious food and especially the profound experience of walking the voice-guided Indigenous sculpture tour.
For more information about REACH, visit the program’s website.
