Support Miles Jordan’s Summer Research & Fieldwork Abroad

Support Miles Jordan’s Summer Research & Fieldwork Abroad

Hi everyone,

My name is Miles B. Jordan, and I just completed my first year of my PhD studies in Anthropology at LSU. I’ve been honored with acceptance into three major international opportunities this summer that will greatly shape my research and future contributions to both the field of anthropology and the city I call home—New Orleans.

I’ve been accepted to:

Wandering Across Sustainable Terrains and Environments

Hosted by Venice International University (VIU) in Venice, Italy, this is an intensive, interdisciplinary PhD Academy that brings together top doctoral students from around the world to examine the shifting dynamics of landscapes, communities, and human-environment relations. More info (https://www.univiu.org/study/phd-academy/wandering-across-sustainable-terrains-and-environments)

️ The International Urban Symposium (IUS)

Taking place in Montecatini Terme, Italy, the IUS is a renowned academic gathering focused on the anthropology of cities. It unites scholars studying urban belonging, migration, governance, and the politics of place in a time of global flux. Learn more (https://www.internationalurbansymposium.com)

️ Off the Beaten Track Ethnographic Field School

Located on the island of Gozo, Malta, this field school is an immersive training program in advanced ethnographic methods. I will earn 3 credit hours toward my PhD while conducting hands-on fieldwork and receiving mentorship from professional anthropologists. Field school info (https://www.anthropologyfieldschool.org)

⸻

Why This Matters

My PhD research focuses on post-Katrina New Orleans—specifically how cultural identity, memory, and community resilience persist and adapt amidst climate crisis and displacement. Being in Venice and Malta, two water-impacted regions with rich cultural histories, offers me a unique opportunity to observe and learn from other coastal communities facing similar challenges.

These experiences will help me diversify my skill set, strengthen my ethnographic practice, and bring vital new insights back to Louisiana.

⸻

Funding Breakdown

I’ve worked hard to cover what I can:

• ✅ $1,000 in travel support secured from LSU

• ✅ I’ve paid nearly $6,000 in tuition and fees out of pocket

• ✈️ My travel dates are July 5 – mid-August 2025

• ️ I have a 9-day gap in between where I must remain on the continent

Because my LSU contract is only 9 months, I’m seeking help to cover:

• Inter-country travel and rail passes

• Lodging and meals during the 9-day gap

• Daily needs and research supplies

⸻

What You Get in Return

To thank you for your support, I’m offering:

️ Fine Art Photography Prints (Half Price!)

All prints offered have been exhibited in national art shows.

• 16x20 = $300 (normally $600)

• 11x14 = $200

• Custom sizing available

Photography Services (Half Cost!)

• Portrait sessions: $150 (normally $300)

• Weddings: $1,000 (normally $2,500)

• Other event photography also available including sports, portraits, even classes to teach you photography

Digital Zine

All supporters will receive access to a behind-the-scenes photo zine with journal entries, reflections, and photos from my fieldwork in Malta, Italy, and Venice.

Acknowledgments in My Work

• All contributors will be named in the acknowledgments section of any public zine or publication resulting from this summer’s research.

• If you donate $300 or more, I will also thank you personally in the acknowledgments section of my dissertation.

Private Photo Class or Portfolio Review

• 1-hour personalized session via Zoom or in person (if local)

• Includes technique, editing, or project feedback

⸻

Final Thoughts

This summer is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to immerse myself in deeply relevant international research, sharpen my ethnographic practice, and prepare to be an even better advocate and cultural documentarian for New Orleans. Your support doesn’t just help me get there—it becomes part of the work.

Thank you for believing in me, and for investing in the future of cultural preservation and storytelling. Any level of contribution big or small means the world to me.

With deep gratitude,

Miles B. Jordan

PhD Student Anthropology