Kristin Hoganson, professor in LAS, has been awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship. The prestigious award supports key research in the humanities nationwide.
Hoganson received the award for a research project regarding the United States’ involvement in developing the infrastructural systems in the Caribbean area during the early 20th century, focusing mostly on transportation and electrification.
Hoganson spoke to The Daily Illini about the extensive application process and her reactions to the award. The NEH Fellowship, which only funds 78 grants, is a highly competitive opportunity.
“I just feel like I did draft, after draft, after draft,” Hoganson said. “I was delighted.”
She hopes to highlight an ecological story through the politics of fossil fuels.
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“One of the things I wanted to think about is the role of the United States in creating the systems of big carbon globally,” Hoganson said.
Her fellowship officially begins at the start of the Fall 2025 semester.
“I will get a teaching reduction, and then I can spend more time with research,” Hoganson said. “The other thing that I really appreciate is (having time) to do some travel.”
She hopes to visit the National Archives to work with military history records. However, trips to Panama and Cuba for the project will cut into her teaching schedule.
“I took down my classes, so that will be different,” Hoganson said. “I was actually really excited about teaching them, but it’s also so rare to get these fellowships.”
Hoganson’s interest in her current research began while working on her previous book. The book furthered her curiosity about the Caribbean and prompted her to focus her research on it.
“There was no moment where I can say this is exactly when this (NEH) project started because it was a process to realize that there was something to try to figure out,” Hoganson said.
Hoganson has published books before, claiming three single-author and two edited books. She said that every process is different because every book is different.
“The hope is, if I just work around the clock, maybe I’ll have a full draft right by the end of next year,” Hoganson said.
