Society for the Humanities Fellows' Conference on "Scale"
Society for the Humanities Fellows present examples of research on the focal theme of Scale - Friday, April 24, 2026 at the A.D. White House.
Our fellows offer experimental interdisciplinary seminars on research topics related to the year's focal theme. These seminars are offered one time only! The theme for 2025-26 is "Scale."
Course Resources
Enroll in Spring 2026 Scale courses!
Our Spring 2026 seminars explore concepts of the impacts of petrochemicals, labor in film production, indigenous religious histories, and more, delving deeply into intersectional interpretations of the focal theme, Scale.
Click here for course descriptions.
SHUM 3750: Humanities Scholars Research Methods
Designed specifically for undergraduate students, the goal of the seminar is to teach and refine research methods (library research, note taking, organizing material, bibliographies, citation methods, proposals, outlines, etc.) as well as to guide students through the initial stages of a research project of your own design. Part of the Humanities Scholars Program.
News
2026-27: The Year of Survival
Announcing the 2026-27 cohort of SURVIVAL Fellows at the Society for the Humanities.
Panel explores Indigenous voices in Abiayala/Latin America
Cornell University will host “Indigenous Voices in Abiayala/Latin America,” on April 9 at 4:45 p.m., exploring Indigenous media self-representation in Latin America – known as Abiayala in the Guna language. Held in the in the A.D. White House and organized by Polly Lauer, a Klarman Postdoctoral Fellow in Romance studies in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences, the panel will feature scholars discussing Mapuche and Maya K’ishe’ cultural production, Indigenous languages and broadcasters’ fight to sustain native-language media such as Guatemala’s oldest Maya radio station.
Humanities students take D.C. trip to advocate for funding
Cornell University Humanities Scholars traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for increased National Endowment for the Humanities and National Archives funding, meeting with congressional offices to highlight the impact of humanities programs on education. Their two‑day trip underscored how federal support strengthens community partnerships, language programs, and public humanities initiatives benefiting campuses and local organizations nationwide.
Perry Zurn on his new book, How We Make Each Other
The Fellows’ Q&A series continues with a spotlight on Perry Zurn, Provost Associate Professor of Philosophy at American University and form Society for the Humanities Fellow at Cornell University. His book, "How We Make Each Other: Trans Life at the Edge of the University," evolved out of research during his Fellowship year during the theme of "Crossing."
Culler Lecture in Critical Theory: "Technofascism" by Zahid R. Chaudhary
Zahid R. Chaudhary, Associate Professor of English, Princeton University, will deliver this year's Culler Lecture in Critical Theory. Chaudhary, who received his Ph.D. from Cornell Unviersity, specializes in postcolonial studies, visual culture, and critical theory.
Benjamin Barson on his book, Brassroots Democracy
The Fellows’ Q&A series continues with a spotlight on Benjamin Barson. Barson is the Samuel L. Williams Endowed Assistant Professor of Music at Bucknell University and former Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Africana Studies and Research Center at Cornell University. His book Brassroots Democracy, evolved out of research during the Fellowship year.
Museum installation focuses on small figures in large landscapes
Society for the Humanities Faculty Fellow, Benjamin Anderson, associate professor of art history and classics, offered a humanities seminar connecting Cornell students with the Johnson Museum to curate a collection demonstrating staffage for the Society's theme year of Scale.