Steven Rubenstein Annual Scholarship Fund
Construct, Inc., announces its annual scholarship fund opportunity, The Steven Rubenstein Scholarship of $1000. The scholarship is derived from a gift of $10,000 from Kenneth and Francine C. Rubenstein of Great Barrington made in 2014 is made in memory of their son, Steven Rubenstein, who was Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Research Institute for Latin American Studies at Liverpool University (UK). The gift is awarded at a rate of $1000 per year for ten years to eligible south county students who are studying in the fields of human services, anthropology, environmental science, women’s studies or Latin American studies.
Kenneth Rubenstein, a former member of the Board of Directors of Construct and past President, and his wife, Francine, make this gift in memory of their son, Steven, with the hope that others are able to carry on the important work in women’s and Latin American studies that was his passion. Beginning in the 1980s, Rubenstein worked with the Shuar people of Ecuador, documenting and analyzing practices of healing, the circulation of shrunken heads, and the ways in which the Shuar reacted to colonization and increasing incorporation into Ecuadorian society. He frequently used life histories of individual Shuar people as a way to understand the political conditions facing the community. He was also known for his application of reflexive and even autoethnographic methods when writing about experiences of intimacy and vulnerability in ethnographic fieldwork.
“We are so excited about being able to offer deserving students this opportunity. Steven Rubenstein spent his life trying to make a difference in the world. This scholarship fund is a perfect way to remember him and honor his life’s work. What more, it opens up the world of higher education to someone who might never have dreamed of going to college,” said Cara Davis, Executive Director of Construct.
The scholarship application deadline is April 30. Interested college-bound students may call Cara Davis at Construct at for eligibility requirements and an application for the scholarship.
