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.
The Society for the Humanities conducts several grant competitions for research, writing, and travel throughout the year. These grants are intended to foster the excellence in humanities research and writing for which Cornell faculty and graduate students are known. The Society places particular emphasis on innovative, interdisciplinary projects that involve Cornell colleagues from across the various disciplines of the humanities. In addition, the Society is proud to provide funding for humanities events organized by Cornell’s distinguished faculty as well as sponsor six to eight Visiting Fellows each year.
Society Research/Funding Resources
Upcoming Application Deadlines
| Joseph E. Connolly '72 Memorial Prizes | Prizes for undergraduate essays on the intersection of religion and politics or society. Deadline: April 24, 2026 |
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.
Rural Humanities
Rural Humanities is an Andrew W. Mellon-supported initiative in public and engaged humanities that uses the tools of the humanities to critically approach, learn from, make visible, and support the realities of rural America, particularly in Central-Western New York: its histories, cultures, challenges, and futures.
Society’s Rural Humanities initiative, supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, features a Radically Indigenous focus in the academic year 2021-22, collaborating with the American Indian & Indigenous Studies Program, Cornell faculty, and local community partners to offer a Spring Seminar and a Summer Practicum that address the past, present, and future of Indigenous lives in Central New York and beyond. Additionally, students and faculty can apply for funding to support radically Indigenous research projects.