Now more than ever our culture needs big ideas about understanding our past, navigating our future and exploring our identities. That’s the creative spark—and inspiring work—of humanities research

Michael P. Lynch, Director, UConn Humanities Institute

What does it mean to be human?

UConn Humanities

The humanities seek to understand the whole human being: our languages, our histories, our art and ideas. The mission of the UConn Humanities Institute (UCHI) is to promote research on these questions, and to act as a voice for that research on the regional, national and international stage. In hosting annual residential fellowships, offering opportunities for humanities-focused programming, and fostering an interdisciplinary space for scholars to think, collaborate, and create, the Institute serves as a global hub for scholars dedicated to humanist scholarship and activism. UCHI seeks to inspire and support scholars at all levels and across disciplines to take on the critical and public task of humanistic inquiry.

Latest News and Events

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Fellows Talk: Joe Ulatowski on Epistemic Gatekeeping

October 17, 2019

Epistemic Gatekeeping, Pride or Prejudice? Joseph Ulatowski, Senior Lecturer of Philosophy, The University of Waikato – New Zealand  October 23, 2019 – 4 to 5PM (UCHI Conference Room: Babbidge Library, 4th Floor South) The continuous growth of intellectual ecosystems leads to an environment populated by mutually uncomprehending hyperspecialised groups. That there are such groups can […]

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Michael Lynch Named 2019 George Orwell Award winner

October 9, 2019

Director of the Humanities Institute and the Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Michael Lynch, has been named winner of the 2019 George Orwell Award. This award, which has been granted annually since 1975 by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), recognizes distinguished contribution to honesty and clarity in public language. Michael joins the ranks […]

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Digital Humanities & Media Studies Launches Website, Speaker Series

October 2, 2019

The Digital Humanities and Media Studies (DHMS) initiative of the Humanities Institute officially launched its new website last week. According to this website, “DHMS seeks to engage the UConn community in explorations and exchange about all aspects related to the digital humanities and media studies, particularly as they pertain to knowledge production in the humanities.” […]

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Humanities Institute Success

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Awarded the largest single-PI research grant ($6 million) in the humanities by the John Templeton Foundation for Humility and Conviction in Public Life: a project aimed at understanding and revitalizing meaningful public discourse in democracy.

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Establishing and leading, with the help of a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the first-ever New England Humanities Consortium, bringing together both ivy-league and state-sponsored institutions.

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Tripling applications to its fellowship program, resulting in fellowships for PEN-Faulkner and National Book Award winning writers and scholars.

Series

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Publishing Now

Sponsored by the CLAS Dean's Office, Publishing NOW is a series of talks and conversations with editors from across the field of publishing. Learn how to pitch your ideas, get your book or article out, publicize yourself and your work, and adjust to the changing landscape of publishing. Read Publishing NOW

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You Should

Bi-monthly, UCHI interviews a member of the UConn faculty or staff who offers a recommendation of a book, film, piece of music, podcast, or other inspiring work in the humanities that should be consumed far and wide. Read You Should