In this moment of unknowns and uncertainty, let the humanities, art, writing, scholarship, and debate lead you to compassion, solace, activism, creativity, and understanding."

Alexis Boylan, Acting 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.

A painting of a dark curving beach, the water almost black. In the yellow sky, red and black clouds loom.

Amanda Douberley and Manisha Desai say #YouShould...

Prepare for the election, Part II.

Book cover of Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.

Micki McElya and Kenneth Gouwens say #YouShould...

Prepare for the election, Part III.

A group of men standing in a field.

Mark Overmyer-Velázquez and Amy Meyers say #YouShould...

Prepare for the election, Part IV

Promotional image from La Commune or a young women reading a broadside, her back to the viewer.

Melanie Newport, Shaine Scarminach, and Sarah Willen say #YouShould...

Prepare for the election, Part V.

Latest News and Events

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.