Emory University

Temperature Check Internships

Emory University Internships

Temperature Check is a field research practice documenting Black art and patronage across the diaspora. Every two years, Temperature Check brings together a delegation of patrons to engage directly with Afro-diasporic cultural ecosystems, artists, and institutions on the ground — building the conditions for sustained patronage to follow. The first volume focuses on Brazil, where Temperature Check is spending two years exploring Afro-Brazilian art, its practitioners, and the infrastructure around it. The research culminates in a bilingual catalogue.

In partnership with Emory University's Department of Art History, and with on-the-ground field research in Brazil supported by Emory’s Black Alumni Impact Circle, Temperature Check is placing two Emory student researchers at the center of that work through Spring 2027 internships. Both placements include a field visit to Salvador da Bahia in late January, with research and editorial work continuing through May. Both carry academic credit, coordinated with faculty supervisors Linda Merrill and Susan Elizabeth Gagliardi.


Ideal Candidate

  • Demonstrated engagement with contemporary African and African diasporic art — through coursework, research, professional, or personal experience

  • Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to develop and sustain an analytical argument

  • Ability to work independently and manage sustained research across a full semester

  • Professionally mature and comfortable in field research environments

  • Portuguese, French, or Spanish language ability preferred but not required



Application timeline

  • Applications open - September 15, 2026

  • Applications close - October 15, 2026

  • Interviews - Late October 2026 · 20–30 minutes · conducted jointly by Adefolakunmi Adenugba, Susan Elizabeth Gagliardi, and Linda Merrill

  • Decisions - Early November 2026

  • Enrollment - End of Fall Semester 2026

  • Internship begins - January 2027

  • Salvador field visit - January 29 – February 5, 2027

  • Internship ends - May 2027

Travel costs and visa fees for both students are covered by the Emory Black Impact Circle.

Internship Opportunities

  • MA or PhD candidate · Art History, African Diaspora Studies, or related field · 4 credits · approximately 10 hours per week

    The graduate researcher produces two published contributions to the Temperature Check Brazil Catalogue and engages with the theoretical direction of the publication across the full Spring 2027 semester, beginning with the Salvador field visit in late January.

    • Develops co-authored Salvador city contextual essay — published in English and Portuguese

    • Writes sole-authored scholarly essay answering the catalogue's central question from firsthand Salvador fieldwork — published in English and Portuguese

    • Leads recorded studio interviews in Salvador alongside Adefolakunmi Adenugba

    • Contributes to the theoretical and architectural direction of the catalogue across the semester

    Read the full placement description →

  • Junior or senior strongly preferred · Art History or closely related field · 3 credits · approximately 8 hours per week

    The undergraduate researcher conducts original primary research across the full Spring 2027 semester, beginning with the Salvador field visit in late January. Their work contributes directly to the catalogue and their deliverable is submitted to the Art History department.

    • Participates in the full Salvador field visit — January 29 to February 5

    • Conducts remote recorded interviews with artists in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo

    • Builds the working bibliography spanning the full catalogue scope

    • Produces analytical summaries of Brazilian cities and regional art ecosystems beyond the three main cities

    • Contributes to catalogue architecture decisions across the semester

    • Named in catalogue acknowledgements

    Read the full placement description →

Use of Generative AI

Temperature Check has a clear policy on the use of generative AI in this placement and in all application materials. Applicants are required to disclose AI use as part of the application. Please review the full policy before applying.

Read AI Policy

Application Form

Applications are reviewed jointly by Adefolakunmi Adenugba, Linda Merrill, and Susan Elizabeth Gagliardi. Read the full placement description for your role before submitting.