2025-26 FCHI Pathways Humanities Fellow Brooke Luokkala is a PhD candidate in Emory's Department of Art History. Before receiving the FCHI Humanities Pathways Fellowship, Brooke was a 2021 Mellon Graduate Fellow in Object-Centered Curatorial Research.
In this conversation with Communications & Outreach Coordinator Karl-Mary Akre, Brooke discusses what she looks forward to during her Humanities Pathways Fellowship year at the Fox Center.
KARL-MARY AKRE: Hi Brooke! Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Could you give me a brief introduction to yourself and the focus of your dissertation research?
BROOKE LUOKKALA: My name is BrookeLuokkala, and I am a doctoral candidate in Emory’s Department of Art History. Before coming to Emory, I earned my BA in Archaeological Studies with a focus on Pre-Columbian art and archaeology. My dissertation focuses on the relationship between materials and images in the art of the Peruvian Formative Period (1800-200 BCE). Specifically, I am looking at objects made of carved bone, shell, and tooth, and how they communicate ideas about human-animal relationships during this period.
So, why did you apply for the Pathways Fellowship?
I applied for the Pathways Fellowship because I am first and foremost an enthusiast of humanities centers on college campuses. As an interdisciplinary scholar, spaces like the Fox Center are where I grew most as a thinker and a collaborator. I chose the Pathways Fellowship so that I could gain experience in organizing lectures and events to inspire upcoming scholars.
What aspects of the Fellowship aligned with your future career goals, if any?
As I near the end of my graduate career, I am increasingly interested in pursuing a post-graduate career outside of academia. While I have loved teaching here at Emory, I am excited to hone my skills in event operations, communications, and project management. These are tools I hope to take with me as I approach the job market.
What are you most looking forward to during your Pathways Fellowship year?
Over the course of my Pathways Fellowship year, I am most looking forward to meeting the other new fellows and learning about the work they are doing while at the Center!
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
