Global Justice and Humanities Practices

The CHCI Initiative: Global Justice and Humanities Practices mobilizes the humanities to address urgent social justice issues, from historical injustices to contemporary struggles for equality and human rights. This initiative calls for research projects and programs that apply humanistic methods to critical global issues such as migration, environmental justice, and the legacies of colonialism.

Initiatives activities will begin in 2025. All CHCI members currently running, planning, or seeking to develop a program or research project related to the Initiative theme are encouraged and welcomed to join. Participating centers and institutes will be invited to join all the CHCI-facilitated activities and events hosted over the course of the Initiative. The information below is meant for project and program leaders interested in joining the Initiative.



Areas of focus

CHCI invites the participation of centers and institutes conducting or developing programs or research projects that use humanities methods and practices to address critical issues of global justice and equity, including:

  • Historical injustices and their long-term impacts on racial, gender, and economic inequality
  • Migration and diaspora studies, focusing on identity and belonging in a globalized world
  • Environmental justice and the role of the humanities in responding to climate crises
  • Health humanities, particularly the intersection of health, equity, and access
  • The role of the arts and humanities in social movements and human rights advocacy
  • Gender justice and the intersections of race, class, and gender in global contexts

These examples suggest some of the areas where this initiative might engage, but we encourage participants to help shape the scope of these themes. We welcome projects that expand the definition of justice and humanities practices in innovative and transformative ways.



Types of Projects and Programs

We welcome a wide variety of projects and programs, from local, short-term efforts to large-scale international partnerships. Projects could involve research, public engagement, or cross-disciplinary collaboration, with an emphasis on innovative approaches to justice and human rights.

Examples include:

  • Small-Scale Community Engagement Projects: A semester-long public history project in collaboration with local communities, documenting the lived experiences of migrants or indigenous peoples.
  • International Research Collaborations: A partnership between centers in different regions exploring environmental justice, bringing together scholars from the Global South and Global North to study climate change’s impact on marginalized populations.
  • Workshops and Symposia: A series of workshops examining the intersections of race, gender, and health, aimed at developing frameworks for healthcare equity in different cultural contexts.
  • Public Humanities Programs: A public art installation or cultural performance series addressing historical injustices and the ongoing struggles for human rights.
  • Educational Programs: The creation of interdisciplinary courses or workshops on social justice topics, integrating humanities methods with legal, political, and sociological approaches.
  • Documentary Film Projects: A documentary capturing stories of displacement and migration, featuring interviews with displaced persons and community leaders to explore identity, belonging, and resilience.
  • Oral History Archives: An oral history project that gathers stories from communities affected by historical injustices, preserving their narratives and integrating them into broader discussions on memory and justice.

This is a non-exhaustive list of project examples. We welcome a capacious definition of research and encourage participants to propose innovative and creative forms of engagement that advance the humanities in the realm of global justice.



Initiatives Activities and Benefits of Participation

The CHCI Initiatives offer a rich array of activities designed to foster collaboration, amplify impact, and support the advocacy of humanities research on a global scale. As a participant, you will have access to a dynamic platform where you can engage with a global network of scholars, share your work, and collectively advance research and public engagement around critical global themes. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Plenary Online Workshop (Spring 2025)

In the spring of 2025, we will hold a plenary online workshop that convenes all participants in each CHCI Initiative. This virtual gathering offers an invaluable opportunity to engage with fellow scholars and program leaders working on related themes. By bringing together researchers from diverse institutions and regions, this workshop will foster exchange and collaboration on a scale rarely possible in individual projects.

Why participate?

  • Cross-pollination of Ideas: By hearing about others' approaches, challenges, and successes, you’ll gain new insights that can inform and strengthen your own work.
  • Collaborative Problem-Solving: Whether you're grappling with methodological questions or looking to scale up your project, this workshop will provide a space for peer support and collective brainstorming.
  • Building Relationships: The online setting will facilitate meaningful connections with potential collaborators across the globe, creating a foundation for future partnerships.

2. In-Person Sessions at the Annual Meeting in Berlin (June 2025)

The CHCI Annual Meeting in Berlin will feature dedicated in-person sessions for each Initiative, as well as sessions highlighting the broader impact of the Initiatives program. These sessions will provide space for deeper dialogue, hands-on workshops, and interactive presentations, allowing participants to engage in more intensive discussions and networking.

Why participate?

  • Deepening Collaboration: The in-person format offers a unique opportunity to dive deeper into your research themes, establish working groups, and solidify collaborative efforts started in the online workshop.
  • Feedback and Visibility: Presenting your project’s progress and challenges to a live audience of peers provides you with actionable feedback and boosts your project's visibility within the international humanities community.
  • Networking and Partnerships: Berlin will be the setting for informal and structured networking events, where you can build lasting relationships with scholars, funders, and advocates for humanities research.

3. Feature Your Work on the CHCI Online Platform

As a participating project, your work will be featured on CHCI’s online platform, where we will highlight your progress, events, publications, and outcomes. This will not only amplify your project’s reach but also provide an ongoing space for updates and engagement with a global audience.

Why participate?

  • Global Reach: The platform ensures your project’s visibility well beyond your institution, reaching a global network of academics, university administrators, and policymakers.
  • Public Engagement: We encourage projects that engage with broader publics, and the platform will serve as a hub to share your work with community leaders, cultural institutions, and the general public.
  • Documentation and Advocacy: The platform will also serve as an archive of Initiative outcomes, which can be used to demonstrate the impact of your project to funders and decision-makers.

4. Collective Advocacy for Humanities Research

One of the key goals of the CHCI Initiatives is to leverage the collective expertise and practical experience of participants to advocate for the humanities in new and powerful ways. The Initiatives offer concrete illustrations of how humanities methods and practices play a unique and crucial role in addressing the world’s most pressing global challenges—whether they pertain to digital technologies, social justice, or environmental crises.

Through workshops and collaborative discussions, we will work together to consolidate the outcomes of individual projects into a broader, cohesive narrative that highlights the essential contributions of humanities research. By demonstrating how humanistic inquiry offers critical perspectives, historical depth, and ethical frameworks that are indispensable for tackling complex global issues, the Initiatives will help build a case for increased support from funders, university administrators, policymakers, and the general public.

Why participate?

  • Amplifying Your Impact: Beyond advancing your own project, you’ll contribute to a global conversation about the unique role of the humanities in addressing urgent challenges like climate change, AI ethics, and social inequalities.
  • Strategic Advocacy: You’ll gain access to tools and strategies for effectively communicating the relevance and impact of humanities research, which can help secure institutional or external funding.
  • Influencing Policy and Funding: By participating in this collective effort, your project will be part of a larger advocacy initiative aimed at influencing decision-makers and ensuring continued investment in humanities research.



Joining and Financial Support

We invite all humanities centers and institutes working on projects related to these themes to join this initiative. While many projects may already have their own funding, a limited number of financial support grants are available for those seeking additional resources. Express your interest and join this collaborative network to contribute to and benefit from the collective work of addressing global justice issues through the humanities.

For more information on how to join and on applying for financial support, see this page.