Hall Center for the Humanities

University of Kansas

Since it was founded in 1976, the Hall Center has demonstrated its ability to develop, launch, and sustain important humanities programming both within the University of Kansas and in the surrounding communities. Its original mission to foster and enhance the KU humanities faculty remains undiminished. The Center supports interdisciplinary study in the humanities through lecture series, seminars, workshops and discussion groups for faculty and graduate students at the University. It promotes excellence in scholarship through faculty-judged competitions for research, travel, and teaching funds, through the publication of scholarly journals, and through a grant development office, which assists all faculty who apply for external grants in the humanities. The Center's collateral mission is to sponsor special programs that engage the University and the wider humanities communities in productive dialogue on issues that bring the humanities to bear on the quality of life for all citizens.

Simons Public Humanities Fellowship

This innovative program brings one Simons Fellow to the Hall Center and KU to participate in the intellectual life of the university for a period ranging from one month to one semester. Made possible by a gift from the Simons Family of Lawrence with matching funds from a National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant, the Fellowship gives individuals of experience and accomplishment from outside the university the time and freedom to re-engage with humanities-based learning for a short period before returning to their occupations. At the same time, the Hall Center and the University benefit from the presence of an accomplished leader from beyond the academy. In line with the wishes of the donor, applicants cannot hold an academic position or otherwise work at an institution of higher education.

In consultation with the Hall Center Director and appropriate faculty, the Simons Fellow will formulate an individualized course of self-study and/or research prior to their arrival in Lawrence. The Fellow is invited to participate in all Hall Center activities, including lectures, colloquia, the resident fellows seminar, and the ongoing faculty seminars, and will be asked to share his or her experience in a variety of settings, including a public lecture at the end of the fellowship period.

To facilitate their course of study and research, and to assist with housing and other expenses, the Simons Fellow will receive a stipend of up to $20,000. The Fellow’s employer is encouraged to bridge any difference between stipend and salary and to continue health care and other benefits.

Learn more at the Simons Fellowship website.

CHCI/ACLS Partnership

The Hall Center is a participant in the CHCI/ACLS Partnership, which connects CHCI member organizations with recipients of the ACLS Recent Doctoral Recipients fellowship program. Visit http://chcinetwork.org/programs-and-projects/special-projects/chci-acls-partnership for information on this program.