ConnectING Independent Colleges with Their Communities through Undergraduate Research
The humanities enrich our lives and offer us tools to make better sense of the world. The humanities help connect individuals and communities. For more than a decade, however, leaders in higher education and humanities scholars have worried about a “crisis” in the humanities, marked by a decline in the number of college majors and a popular perception that philosophy, history, literature, and languages no longer have relevance to contemporary issues or the public good. Many independent colleges and universities have countered these claims by pointing to the growth of enrollment in humanities classes and citing surveys of employers that emphasize the importance of strong writing, critical thinking, and a knowledge of diverse cultures for successful careers in tomorrow’s workforce.
“Humanities Research for the Public Good” offers a different response to these criticisms by helping CIC member institutions demonstrate the power of the humanities to shed light on the past, to offer new insights on current issues, and to engage both students and members of the public in contemplating a better future. By making visible the significant collections contained in college archives, libraries, and museums, the project aims to show how these raw materials of humanities research can address the concerns and experiences of local communities.
When you see what the humanities have to offer, you want to share them as broadly as you can.”
—Edward L. Ayers, Historian and President Emeritus, University of Richmond
CIC awarded $10,000 grants to 25 member colleges and universities in spring 2019 and 24 additional institutions in spring 2020
to support undergraduate research projects that incorporate a public presentation of research findings. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the second cohort of projects was postponed until the 2021-2022 academic year.
All funded projects make use of a significant archival, library, or museum collection held by the college or university. Institutions must collaborate with a community-based organization to share this research with the public; the projects—which take many forms—must address a topic of importance and interest to the local community.
"Humanities Research for the Public Good” was designed to:
- Connect independent colleges and universities with cultural and civic organizations in their local areas for the benefit of both students and the public;
- Make better use of existing campus collections for teaching, undergraduate research, and public engagement;
- Enhance the research, collaboration, and communication skills of students in humanities disciplines;
- Encourage humanities faculty members and collections specialists who work in campus libraries, archives, and museums to apply their expertise to issues of public policy and community concern; and
- Increase public interest in and appreciation of humanities research.
This initiative is generously supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with supplemental funding from the
National Endowment for the HumanitiesAny views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.. In 2020, "Humanities Research for the Public Good" received a
J. Franklin Jameson Archival Advocacy Award from the Society of American Archivists. This award honors an individual, institution, or organization that promotes greater public awareness, appreciation, or support of archival activities or programs.