Research

  1. Home
  2. Academic Departments
  3. History
  4. Research
Academic Departments

The opportunities for student research are diverse, robust, and numerous.

In addition to curriculum-based research, students can initiate semester-long independent research projects for credit, and many take advantage of grant-funded programs for summer research worldwide.

The history department strongly encourages, mentors, and supports students in their research and publishing efforts. We offer information, online resources, and multiple opportunities to pursue history research at Davidson. All senior majors will engage in substantial independent research project by way of HIS 480: Senior Research Seminar or the Kelley Honors Program.

Research Spotlight Historical Documentaries

History courses and students have produced documentary films on themes ranging from lynching to World War II. Explore their work.

Remembering Willie Earle

On February 17, 1947, a mob lynched 24-year-old Willie Earle in Greenville County, South Carolina.  Earle’s murder, and the acquittal of his accused killers, made international news in 1947.  Earle is the last known victim of racially motivated lynching in South Carolina.

A Charleston Tour

In 1985, Alphonso Brown founded Gullah Tours, the first tourism company in Charleston, South Carolina, to emphasize the region’s Black history.

The Red Phone Project

The Red Phone Project documents the founding of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic in Charlotte, North Carolina, by Sarah Bryant. 

Davidson College Funded Programs

If you are interested in either of the research opportunities listed below, talk with a member of the history department to learn more information and allow enough time to prepare/apply.

Pushpin
George Lawrence Abernethy Endowment

The Abernethy Endowment supports students who wish to pursue independent research and cross-cultural study in the humanities or social sciences, either in the United States or abroad. Grant support is available through application for both academic year and summer experiences.

Pushpin
Davidson Research Initiative

The DRI summer program fosters collaborative student-faculty research in all of the liberal arts disciplines. Interested students should identify a member of the Davidson faculty who will be available to serve as a mentor, and submit a research proposal and other application materials to the program director.

Get Started

Contact your adviser or Prof. Patricia Tilburg at patilburg@davidson.edu for additional information on research opportunities.