Society Fellowships

Society Fellowships 2027-28

The Society for the Humanities at Cornell University seeks faculty fellows for year-long residential fellowships who are conducting interdisciplinary research projects exploring play.  Easily dismissed as frivolous, juvenile, or unserious, play represents a core human activity (homo ludens) with a rich tradition of scholarship in the humanities. 

We invite applications that approach ideas and concepts that address play in a critical spirit. Critical studies of play can be found in a wide range of disciplines including anthropology, literature, history, performance studies, music, theater, media studies, gender and sexuality studies, cultural studies, and game studies. Theories about play explore the ludic, the spontaneous, or the rule-bound. We welcome studies of improvisation that may focus on imagination, creativity, and futurity. Studies of play may also address forms of play that affirm expertise or competence, containing play with culturally accepted rules (like grammar). Tacking between rules and improvisation, playing may involve players who demonstrate mastery and proficiency. Play may call for risk-taking, such as gambling or speculation. Play can be rewarding or punishing, spectacular or completely ordinary. 

People, things, and ideas play or they can be played. Play can generate pleasure; play can also cause harm. Thus, play can be something radically and consciously in opposition to reality, generating joy, desire, or fantasy. In a pleasurable form, play can be a respite from reality. However, play can be dangerous, raising questions about how play relates to truth and delusion. In its dystopic forms, play can be disruptive so that reality is called into question. 

When we think of common phrases such as “play on words” or “child’s play,” we see that play is also a feature of our everyday lives, binding collectives and communities. Play is central to how we live; without play, we live without contingency and futurity. 

The Society for the Humanities welcomes applications from scholars and artists who are interested in participating in a playful and critical dialogue around play. 

Image: Takino Rainbow Nest, Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam, netplayworks.com

Qualifications

Fellows should be working on topics related to the 2027-28 theme of PLAY. Their approach to the humanities should be broad enough to appeal to students and scholars in several humanistic disciplines. Applicants must have received the Ph.D. degree before January 1, 2026. The Society for the Humanities will not consider applications from scholars who received the Ph.D. after this date. Applicants must also have one or more years of teaching experience, which may include teaching as a graduate student. International scholars are welcome to apply, contingent upon visa eligibility.

Application Procedures

The following application materials must be submitted via AJO #32054 on or before September 1, 2026. Any other method of applying will not be accepted.

1. A curriculum vitae
2. A one-page abstract describing the research project the applicant would like to pursue during the term of the fellowship (up to 300 words)
3. A detailed statement of the research project (1,000 – 2,000 words). Applicants may also include a one-page bibliography of the most essential materials to the project.
4. A course proposal for a seminar related to the applicant’s research. Seminars meet two hours per week for one semester and enrollment is limited to fifteen advanced undergraduates and graduate students. The course proposal should consist of:
   1. A brief course description suitable for the University course catalog (50-125 words)
   2. A detailed course proposal (up to 300 words)
   3. A list of the essential texts for the course
   4. A draft syllabus
5. One scholarly paper (no more than 35 pages in length)
6. Two letters of recommendation from senior colleagues in your field (from any institution) to whom candidates should send their research proposal and teaching proposal. Letters of recommendation should include an evaluation of the candidate’s proposed research and teaching statements. Please ask referees to submit their letters directly through the application link. Letters must be submitted on or before September 1, 2026.

The deadline to apply is September 1, 2026. Awards will be announced by the end of December 2026.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

 If you need accommodations in order to complete the application, please contact Society staff at humctr@cornell.edu.

Have questions? Please review our FAQs here: https://societyhumanities.as.cornell.edu/fellowship-application-faq

Note: Extensions for applications will not be granted. The Society will consider only fully completed applications. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that ALL documentation is complete and that referees submit their letters of recommendation to the Society before the closing date.