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University Communications

Two professors win fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities

January 16, 2007

Two University of Richmond professors, one in religion and one in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, have been awarded $40,000 full fellowships by the National Endowment for the Humanities for research projects.

Gary McDowell, Tyler Haynes Interdisciplinary Professor of Leadership, Political Science and Law, received funding for his project, The Most Sacred Rule of Interpretation: The Language of Law and the Moral Foundations of Originalism. Religion professor Miranda Shaw received funding for completion of her book, "Buddhist Goddesses of Tibet and Nepal."

NEH received 1,507 applications for its prestigious annual fellowships but awarded only 161 in four program areas: University Teachers; College Teachers and Independent Scholars; Faculty Research Awards for Historically Black, Hispanic-Serving, and Tribal Colleges and Universities; and Advanced Research Fellowships on Japan.

McDowell's project explores the philosophic and political grounds of originalism as a method of constitutional interpretation, beginning with theories of language in the works of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ending with analysis of the modes of interpretation in the jurisprudence of Justice Joseph Story and Chief Justice John Marshall. Marshall's view was that original intention is "the most sacred rule of interpretation." McDowell plans to write a book.

Shaw's book will trace the transformations of the Buddhist pantheon as shaped by the cultural landscapes of the Tibetan plateau and Kathmandu Valley. Based on archival and field research in Tibet and Nepal, it will feature Shaw's translations of Sanskrit, Tibetan and Newar texts, plus documentation of active temples, sacred sites, rituals, dances, processions and trance sessions.

NEH's fellowships and faculty research awards support individuals pursuing advanced research in the humanities that contributes to scholarly knowledge or to the general public's understanding of the humanities. Recipients usually produce scholarly articles, monographs on specialized subjects, books on broad topics, archaeological site reports, translations, editions, or other scholarly tools.