Dean of Libraries and University Librarian John G. Zenelis is pleased to announce the selection of Katrin B. Anacker, Associate Professor at Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, as the 2019-20 Fenwick Fellow.
Professor Anacker’s research proposal, Opening up the Suburbs: The Case of Reston, Virginia, received the enthusiastic recommendation of the members of the Fenwick Fellow Selection Committee. The project, utilizing a case study approach to examine Reston over the past five decades, will draw on three strands of suburban literature – planned communities, race and real estate, and social justice – and explore the questions: How and why did Robert E. Simon open up Reston? What challenges did he face in doing so and how did he overcome them?
Professor Anacker will undertake archival research at Mason Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center and the City of Fairfax Regional Library’s Virginia Room, as well as conduct interviews with planners, administrators, community activists, and historians.
Zenelis commented, “I am delighted to support the committee’s endorsement of Professor Anacker’s study. In an age of digital exploration, the use of archival and primary sources in substantive, groundbreaking research cannot be ignored or understated. We look forward to having Professor Anacker here in our Special Collections Research Center and seeing what she uncovers.”
Professor Anacker will present the results of her work in spring 2021 at the annual Fenwick Fellow Lecture hosted by the University Libraries.
ABOUT THE FENWICK FELLOWSHIP: The Fenwick Fellowship is awarded annually to one or two Mason tenured, tenure-track, or multi-year appointment term faculty members to pursue a research project that uses and enhances the University Libraries’ resources while advancing knowledge in their fields. The winning proposals are recommended to the Dean of Libraries and University Librarian by a six-member selection committee including three instructional faculty members and three librarians, with one of the Associate University Librarians serving as administrative coordinator. The recipients are provided with a fully equipped and furnished research office in Fenwick Library and an award of $5,000 to support the recipient’s research project. The terms for this year’s Fellow begins on August 26, 2019 and will end on August 7, 2020.