19 July 2002

Secrets of Guerrilla Scholarship

by Sheldon Greaves, Ph.D.

Presented at the first annual Citizen Scientist Conference, Philadelphia, 29 June 2002.

During my years in graduate school I found myself bouncing between academia and the private sector. In order to continue my degree I usually had to work part time. Sometimes, I had to take a year off and work full time to rebuild our savings before returning to student life. This meant that my academic experience at UC Berkeley was heavily tainted by the realities of getting along in the so-called "real world", and my private sector employment was done in the service of a degree that would almost certainly not result in gainful employment. In addition, Berkeley was a two-hour commute in each direction. Obviously I was studying for the love of the subject. Surely this audience will understand.

The practical upshot was that even when I was in academia, I had to work and think as if I were an independent scholar. Early in my doctoral program I was fortunate enough to run across Ronald Gross' wonderful book The Independent Scholar's Handbook, which described a practical basis for independent scholarship and informs much of this paper. It also forced me to drastically rethink my own intellectual path. After reading this book, I made up some business cards that listed my job title as "Guerrilla Scholar". To this day, it remains the most concise and accurate description of my intellectual life.

After I finished my degree, I knew in my heart of hearts that a life in academia was not for me. I also knew that a doctorate in ancient Near Eastern studies was not something I could take to the private sector. So, I continued to work and publish in my areas of study without the usual benefits of academia. I also became interested the practice of independent scholarship generally and how others have made it work. It proved to be a very interesting field by itself.

What most people don't realize--including many people in academia--is that the independent scholar has been a crucial part of American intellectual life for much of the 20th century. Alvin Toffler, Barbara Tuchman, Mortimer J. Adler, Eric Hoffer, Edward Ricketts, Bucky Fuller, and many other luminaries did most of their defining work as independent scholars, outside of academia.

So what is guerrilla scholarship? I define the concept in terms of two guiding principles. First, "guerrilla" is used in the sense of "unconventional", as one would talk of guerrilla or unconventional warfare. It means using imaginative methods to obtain those things that independents need, but do not have by virtue of their independent status. Second, is the understanding that, like the guerrilla fighter, the guerrilla scholar needs the goodwill of the local population in order to succeed. As we discuss guerrilla scholarship, keep in mind that many of the ideas I'm about to present involve enhancing the intellectual atmosphere of your community. This is not merely an act of selfless service, but a means to improve your chances of success.

Guerrilla scholars face many obstacles to doing their work, but here are some of the tougher ones:

Affiliation and Titles

If you decide to attend professional conferences in your chosen field--and you probably should--you may find yourself barred from signing up if you don't have an institutional affiliation or title. Of course, you can always put down "Society for Amateur Scientists", but there may be instances where that won't be sufficiently specialized. If you don't have a title or degree, this only compounds the problem.

Affiliation and a title are not all that difficult to finagle, but you have to be pro-active. One solution is to go to your public library (actually, the answer to many problems associated with guerrilla scholarship start with, "go to your public library") and browse the Encyclopedia of Associations. This book contains information on more organizations than you ever dreamed of. Look for national organizations that zero in on your interest and join them. Sometimes, that will be all the affiliation you need. These organizations often have other services available to their members including membership journals, specialized libraries, grants and awards, professional certification programs, local chapters, conventions, or job placement programs.

I know of independent scholars who obtained a title by approaching any institution that was even remotely connected with learning. Community colleges, high schools, public libraries, local learned societies, and industrial research labs are all possible candidates. Start by approaching the institution and tell them that you are an independent scholar. Describe the project(s) you are working on. Ask them for a letter granting you a title that would allow you to claim them as a sponsoring organization. It costs them nothing. In exchange, you offer to do things that will help them out, such as conducting workshops, tutoring, or simply giving the institution lots of praise when you publish your work.

For example, when I was in high school, our school gave a local filmmaker the title "Filmmaker in Residence." They let him set up a makeshift editing studio in an unused classroom where he could work on his projects. This gave him a title and a studio. In exchange he ran workshops on film and film editing for other classes in theater, journalism, English, and mass media. The theater department also brought in a local ballet dancer as a "Choreographer in Residence".

Your title can be just about anything; "Scholar" or "Scientist in Residence", "Reader", "Lecturer", "Research Associate", "Adjunct Professor"... there are many possibilities. The one title you should probably stay away from is "Professor" or "Associate Professor", because these titles can carry certain legal connotations.

Believe it or not, it is also possible to do this at community colleges and universities. If you can obtain a title at a college or university, the benefits to your work can be tremendous. For one thing, you can usually obtain library privileges, along with an internet account (if you need one). Sometimes you can obtain a workspace, but don't count on it. You also have access to professors and graduate students with whom you can discuss your work. In other words, you get many of the perks of academia (at least the ones that matter), without all those tedious faculty meetings or the pressure to publish or perish. Many colleges and universities have special centers dedicated to specialized fields of study. These are generally smaller and more flexible administratively, and sometimes even have independent budgets. They might be more willing to work with independents.

Now I must caution you that I am making this sound easier than it sometimes is. Universities and larger community colleges can be tougher nuts to crack. It takes a fair bit of schmoozing to do it reliably. Currently I am working on a book proposal for a popular history of the Middle East. I needed the resources of a university library, so I attempted to obtain a visiting scholar's appointment at Brown University. I approached both the Ancient Studies Program and the History Department, and utterly failed. To make a long story short, I was done in by a combination of administrative barriers and not being a recognized member of the academic old boy's club, all this in spite of my Ph.D. I also rushed it, I confess, because time was short and I didn't have the time to do it right. I finally succeeded on my third try by approaching the Religious Studies department, since a degree in ancient Near Eastern studies pretty much constitutes a de facto degree in that field.

Let me reiterate. Relationships are frequently the most important factor in gaining access to the academic club. If you are approaching a more "serious" institution like a major university, you should spend time developing relationships with professors or administrators. My suggestion is that before you approach them for an appointment, attend department lectures, schmooze with professors and grad students and make yourself known. This will help you figure out who is approachable, who is not, and who might share your interests. Try discussing it first with a department administrator or assistant because they know how things work and how to get things done. They might also be more willing to help non-academics.

Assistants and Interns

How would you like to have an intern? Some colleges have so-called "nontraditional" programs where students design their own learning programs with help from faculty. Many of these programs go under the title of "University Without Walls", "Learning Contracts", "External Degree Programs", and so forth. Often these programs make use of internships or apprenticeships where the students work and learn alongside an outside expert instead a classroom setting. These students tend to be adults who are good at working independently. If your work could use the services of an intern or research assistant, this is one way to acquire one. Talk to your local community college, public library, or other institution that might know about nontraditional learning programs in your area. When you have identified programs that coincide with your interests, write a one-page letter to the administrator of that program offering your project as something for interns to work on. Stress the educational benefits for the students.

Of course, if you want to get really ambitious, you can found your own institution. This option is in the best tradition of Benjamin Franklin and his peers. Set up the institution the same way you would start a small business; get a mail box, a phone number, an IRS tax ID number, a bank account, and an e-mail address. Draw up some letterhead and business cards. The challenge, however, is that if you are going to set yourself up as an institute in order to be taken seriously, you must make damn sure you do serious work. If you are engaged to give a lecture, lecture brilliantly. If you are asked to review a book, do so with skill and on schedule. If you have a web site, keep it updated. Return phone calls and correspondence in a timely fashion. Use your institutional status responsibly. Don't ruin it for the rest of us by abusing institutional privileges. For amateur scientists, the best option might be to turn your laboratory into a business concern. I hope you will all take the opportunity to attend Rich Fragale's lecture on tax options for amateur scientists.

Monetary Support

This leads us to the question of money. George Bernard Shaw rightly pointed out that "lack of money is the root of all evil." Author Oscar Wilde once observed that "writing is like sex. First you do it for love, then for a few close friends, and finally for money." For most of you, monetary support will consist of a job or retirement pension that allows time for you to pursue your avocation. But I think Oscar Wilde was on to something. There is nothing wrong with making money from your avocation once in awhile. Obtaining an institutional affiliation can save you money through lower overhead costs for your research. And you might be able to turn your affiliation into a job or an advantage when applying for grant money. Another solution, one that often evades independent scholars in my field, is to actually create something useful you can sell. For money.

Many people who pursue the life of the mind as an avocation feel that such activity is sullied by contact with money. Much of this no doubt comes from the modern view of "amateurs" doing what they do without compensation, as was once supposedly case with modern "amateur" athletes. This is nonsense. The word "amateur" itself only denotes doing something for love. Its basic meaning implies nothing about compensation. Don't be afraid to ask yourself if there is some way your project could be turned into a profitable venture. Is there a book or article to be written and sold? A patent to be obtained? Can you offer your services as a consultant? All these things can not only bring in money, but enhance your reputation and help you garner support. If you can command a price, you will be taken more seriously.

Grants and awards are frequently touted as a solution to the problem of money for the independent scholar. In my opinion, grants are a low-percentage gamble for individuals. Admittedly, my experience is in humanities where there is less money for pretty much everything. But most foundations make grants to organizations, not individuals. Although there are still thousands of grants available for individuals, most of them are highly specific in terms of the subject area and applicant requirements. Grant-finding takes a lot of research and work, and grant writing is a challenging and time-consuming chore with no assurance of returns. But if you want to explore this option, once again the place to start is the public library with a massive volume called Foundation Grants to Individuals. Another more up-to-date resource is Grantsmanship Center Magazine, with also has a very useful web site at www.tgci.com.

The guerrilla scholar, however, might try a different approach. I suggest the following not because it is currently a common practice, but because it has worked in the past. Once upon a time, great artists, poets, musicians and scientists had patrons who supported their work. Howard Carter, the discoverer of Tutankhamen's tomb had a patron, Lord Carnavon, whose generosity funded his excavations. Do you know someone who has a lot of money, and who might be persuaded to support you in exchange for immortality should you make a contribution to the world of science? These days, immortality isn't enough; you also have to offer a tax break. But if you can set yourself up as a non-profit organization, or find a non-profit organization that can serve as a financial go-between, there's no reason why the old institution of patronage can't be revived to benefit your work.

Publishing Your Work

In academia, publishing--frequent publishing--is the litmus test of scholarship. It is the yardstick by which one's mind is judged. I remember the words of one professor who jokingly remarked on the passing of a colleague: "Poor professor Harris. He published and published and perished just the same." For amateurs, publication is problematic because many amateurs can't, won't or don't care to. In the first instance, you need to be open to the many, many possibilities for publishing that exist out there. I hope you all stick around for James Levine's workshop on book publishing. You should also take a good look at the current edition of the Writer's Market, published annually and available in every public library and bookstore. I won't try to summarize the contents; just look through it and you'll find many many publications where you can publish your work, along with no-nonsense advice on how to approach them. Of course, I would also encourage you to submit articles to me for publication in the SAS E-Bulletin.

Many amateurs are reluctant to publish. In fact, it seems to be epidemic in our community. Our reticence to publish does not do us credit. We must become part of the dialogue. If we have things worth saying we should say them, even if it is restricted to a local newspaper or newsletter.

Finding Colleagues

Academics enjoy the company of colleagues. The advent of e-mail, Usenet, and listservers have revived the dying art of correspondence as an intellectual forum. This is a boon for amateur scholars in every field. Depending on the subject, you can find electronic discussion groups where top-flight scholars and scientists hang out. This provides wonderful opportunities for the guerrilla scholar. One of my good friends is an amateur scholar of William Shakespeare. He participates in a listserv discussion forum discussing current aspects of scholarship on the Bard and has used it to great advantage. He has carefully developed good relationships with a number of world-class academics in the field by writing well-considered and thoughtful posts, giving articulate answers to questions, and showing respect to everyone who posts there, even the nut cases.

As a result, Mike carries on interesting and fruitful correspondences both on and off the list with several very bright lights in his field. These have in turn led to opportunities to publish his research and present it at major conferences.

To do this right, you have to master the art of the written schmooze. It requires courtesy and respect for your correspondent's feelings, time, and interests. Here's a hint: if you are writing to someone who has written extensively about something, it helps if you can demonstrate that you have actually read this person's work. If you haven't, they'll know. In that case you are not a potential colleague, you are a nuisance. It also doesn't hurt if you write well. If you have trouble with writing, here's a quick fix. Go to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. Never has so much good, pithy advice on writing been distilled into a book so small that costs so little. You can read it in an hour or two. Internalize this book's contents, and your written voice will improve.

 

Final Thoughts

In a time of increasing specialization the world needs guerrilla scholars. Independent amateurs can ignore the boundaries between disciplines where innovative ideas lurk. We can take advantage of the "edge effect" by which new ideas open up when disparate fields decide to talk to each other. But we can't do it as isolated individuals.

Academic institutions and corporations are essentially networks of support for the scholars and scientists they employ. The essence of guerrilla scholarship to build your own network of support specific to your needs. You do this by developing relationships with people who are in a position to help you, and then ask for their support. It may sound counterintuitive to simply go out and develop the kinds of perks that are found in academia. But it can be done.

This is a great time for guerrilla scholarship because of significant changes taking place in academic America. There is a quiet revolution going on in the way subjects are taught and learned that started with the Free University movement of the sixties and seventies, and continues with the development of the Internet. Alternative educational options are popping up all over the place. Distance learning is becoming a major industry and goes far beyond the traditional correspondence courses in variety and quality. The fabric of formal intellectual life is loosening and mutating rapidly. These changes create opportunities for learning, teaching, and discovery. Use your imagination and you will find many ways to develop your personal support network.

Good hunting.