The University of Iowa has long been a home base for writers and humanists who produce high-caliber scholarship and creative work.

Working together, the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Office of the VP for Research, Office of the Provost, and several other university centers and institutes invest substantially in the humanities disciplines—history, classics, languages, literature, philosophy, religion, and world-renowned writing programs. 

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Substantial financial support for research and teaching initiatives

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Services

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Comprehensive services to assist faculty and students in their scholarly work

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Space / Time

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Dedicated space/time allocated for research and teaching activities

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Visibility

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Recognition and celebration of achievements and contributions of our community

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Upcoming Events

Application Deadline: Obermann Symposium Directorship (2026–27) promotional image

Application Deadline: Obermann Symposium Directorship (2026–27)

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 5:00pm
111 Church Street

Is there a burning topic in your discipline or a topic that cuts across disciplines that we should bring to campus? Is there a format for the conversation that can energize an intellectual community around that topic? That might be the perfect topic for an Obermann Symposium!

In addition to a compelling topic, we invite co-directors to propose national and international speakers who can offer richly diverse perspectives on the symposium theme. We also want to highlight the work of UI and local...

Piano Sundays at Old Capitol: Doreen Lee and UI Collaborative Pianists promotional image

Piano Sundays at Old Capitol: Doreen Lee and UI Collaborative Pianists

Sunday, November 2, 2025 1:30pm
Old Capitol Museum

Piano Sundays at Old Capitol

This event will feature Doreen Lee and UI Collaborative Pianists

Upcoming Piano Sundays at Old Capitol:
March 1, 2026 | Ksenia Nosikova and Studio
May 3, 2026 | Alan Huckleberry and Studio

This concert is free and open to the public.

"Behind the Book: The Labor of Acquisitions Editing" — Lecture by Sara Jo Cohen promotional image

"Behind the Book: The Labor of Acquisitions Editing" — Lecture by Sara Jo Cohen

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 5:00pm
111 Church Street

Publishing a scholarly book is not a solitary act of authorship, but a collaborative process in which scholars work with a team of editors. Scholars don’t just submit manuscripts; they engage in sustained dialogue with editors who help to shape, refine, and position their work. Far from being gatekeepers, acquisition editors are collaborators, advocates, and stewards of knowledge. Their work is especially critical as they align the intellectual ambitions of scholars with the practical demands of...

Past Events

EFC Lecture: Why Do We Want to Believe in Cross-Species Utopias? - Teresa Mangum, PhD

Thursday, November 14, 2024 4:00pm
Biology Building East

The internet mews, barks, growls, and hisses with alleged evidence of cross-species attachment. These stories — from Genesis to Victorian animal painter Edwin Landseer’s narrative paintings to the latest videos and memes — entice audiences with the promise that we can bridge and bond across species difference. But they also document what it costs animals for humans to be near them. 

~ Sponsored by the Emeritus Faculty Council and the Office of the Provost ~

Humanities Awardee Showcase and Reception promotional image

Humanities Awardee Showcase and Reception

Thursday, November 21, 2024 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Join us on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 from 3 to 5 p.m. in 2520-D UCC for the Humanities Awardee Showcase and Reception. This event is open to all faculty who would like to learn more about external awards and recognition while connecting with humanities colleagues from around the university.   

The program will feature welcoming remarks from Luis Martín-Estudillo, director of the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, followed by a panel discussion with recent prestigious award winners, including...

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