As a historian and professional researcher, I know the challenges and thrills of discovery in digging into a compelling historical question.
Let’s talk about how I can contribute to your project – whether you are working on an article, book, family history, lecture, grad thesis, public history or oral history project, report for a not-for-profit organization, or other forms of storytelling that rely on solid historical evidence and insights.
My pricing is reasonable, and adaptable to the nature of your project. I look forward to talking with you.
Rob Shapard, PhD
robertpshapard@gmail.com
To assist with your historical research project, I will:
-Work with you at the start to ensure that I understand clearly your needs and vision for what I will accomplish; and check in with you regularly.
-Engage with archivists in advance to seek guidance in finding pertinent materials; take notes and photos while reviewing materials; and stay alert for unexpected discoveries and new leads to other sources.
-Complete a range of other work as needed, such as identifying primary and secondary sources; reviewing sources and writing annotated bibliographies; contacting people who have expertise or information relevant to your project; and many other tasks that might arise.
-Tap into JSTOR, the Digital Public Library of America, WorldCat, Google Scholar, Archives West and other databases if relevant, as well as sources such as digitized historical newspapers and e-books.
-Report my findings concisely, on-time, and in the format most useful to you.
“Rob Shapard is a great storyteller and a better historian. In our work together, Rob was both thorough and creative. He did a lot to push the Walnut Hill project into more interesting and productive interpretations. I highly recommend Rob and his exemplary work.”
-Dr. Elijah Gaddis, assistant professor of history at Auburn University; co-director of the Community Histories Workshop at UNC; and author of Gruesome Looking Objects: A New History of Lynching and Everyday Things
In this work, I draw on my training and experience in:
-Researching and writing a doctoral thesis in U.S. history and two master’s theses in U.S. history and journalism.
-Serving as project coordinator for an in-depth research project about a farm and community near Raleigh, NC.
-Researching and writing for the Chancellor’s Task Force on UNC Chapel Hill History.
-Researching and creating lectures as instructor for eight undergraduate courses in U.S. history at UNC Chapel Hill.
-Preparing for more than sixty oral history interviews by researching the narrators’ lives and larger historical contexts in which they lived (many of these interviews are held in the Southern Oral History Program collection).
-Working as a full-time journalist for twelve years.
“Rob Shapard brings a well-trained and insightful perspective to his historical research. He has good instincts, and he made valuable discoveries that helped broaden our collective understanding of the university’s past. Dr. Shapard also is a skilled oral historian. In conducting interviews with key university leaders, he built a good rapport with them, helping them to reflect on their own experiences and their views of UNC’s history.”
-Dr. Cecelia Moore, former university historian at UNC-Chapel Hill; and co-author, UNC A to Z: What Every Tar Heel Needs to Know about the First State University.
I should also mention that:
-I live in Chapel Hill and have ready access to extensive archival collections at UNC Chapel Hill, N.C. Central University, N.C. State University, and Duke University, as well as the State Archives of North Carolina.
-I have developed good working relationships over the years with archivists at several of these institutions, and a strong understanding of how to conduct research in the many collections there.
-In addition, I can readily travel outside the Research Triangle region to access archival collections and other resources that would be valuable to your project.
“Dr. Rob Shapard identified, researched, and inventoried all archival holdings in the State Archives of North Carolina, NC State University, and county-level libraries related to Williamson Preserve. He also identified archives held by families, individuals, and community stakeholders, in addition to conducting interviews with many people and their descendants related to Williamson Preserve… Dr. Shapard drafted these (historical) signs with TLC, and [the Community Histories Workshop] has provided guidance to TLC on next steps with archiving these materials, as well as how to continue research on the property and surrounding community.”
-Statement by the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) from the historical exhibit at the Williamson Preserve in Wake County, N.C.
Taproots Journal 