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

Amanda Douberley and Manisha Desai say #YouShould...
Prepare for the election, Part II.

Micki McElya and Kenneth Gouwens say #YouShould...
Prepare for the election, Part III.

Mark Overmyer-Velázquez and Amy Meyers say #YouShould...
Prepare for the election, Part IV

Melanie Newport, Shaine Scarminach, and Sarah Willen say #YouShould...
Prepare for the election, Part V.
Latest News and Events

Fellow’s Talk: Elizabeth Athens on William Bartram’s Vision of the Natural World
A talk by UCHI faculty fellow Elizabeth Athens, with a response by Helen Rozwadowski. January 27, 2021, 4:00pm.
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Statement Regarding the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol
Truth matters. As yesterday’s horrifying events illustrate, this is not an abstract principle, but a core practical commitment of democratic governance. We at the UCHI proudly reaffirm our commitment to justice, to democracy, to truth.
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Announcing NEHC Faculty of Color Working Group Mellon Fellowships
Applications are now open for the 2021–22 NEHC FOCWG Mellon Faculty Fellowship. The fellowship is intended for full-time faculty members from historically disadvantaged racial groups or those whose projects specifically confront institutional blocks for BIPOC faculty.
[Read More]Humanities Institute Success

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.

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.

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