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.

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

Micheal P. Lynch, Director, UConn Humanities Institute

Latest News and Events

Know It All Society

Michael Lynch’s New Book Explores the Cultural Toxicity of Social Media

August 15, 2019

The University of Connecticut Humanities Institute (UConn-UCHI) director Michael Lynch has a new book: “Know-It-All Society: Truth and Arrogance in Political Culture.” Michael’s book, published by Liveright Publishing, explores how social media, despite what we may think, is used not for disseminating knowledge and facts, but as a means of expressing our outrage at those […]

The Schedule of UCHI Fellows Talks for 2019–2020

July 29, 2019

As is customary, every year each of our resident fellows delivers a talk on their ongoing research while at the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute. These talks are open to the public and take place at UCHI at the Homer Babbidge Library, 4th Floor. More details will be disseminated on social media prior to each […]

President Herbst’s Legacy Heralds a Bright Future for UCHI

July 25, 2019

As the larger UConn community says farewell to President Susan Herbst, who served as its 15th president from 2011 to 2019, we at the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute (UCHI) would like to add to the chorus of  well-wishers. President Herbst was an advocate for the humanities and arts on campus, which is exemplified by her […]

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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.

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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

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.