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. 

Funding

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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

Enriching the Curriculum with Writing and AI Literacy promotional image

Enriching the Curriculum with Writing and AI Literacy

Thursday, January 8, 2026 10:00am to 12:00pm
University Capitol Centre
Stacey Sheriff, Chair of the Writing Department at Colby College, describes the key components of writing across the curriculum programs, pedagogies, and principles and what is changing (or not) in response to AI.
Still Here: Helping Students Develop Strong Writing Skills Despite (and maybe even with the help of) Generative AI Tools promotional image

Still Here: Helping Students Develop Strong Writing Skills Despite (and maybe even with the help of) Generative AI Tools

Thursday, January 8, 2026 1:00pm to 3:00pm
University Capitol Centre
In this session, Deirdre Egan, Associate Director of the UI Writing Center and Eva Latterner, Assistant Director of the Center for Teaching, focus on how to teach with writing in the age of AI.
Application Deadline: Spring 2026 Obermann Writing Collective promotional image

Application Deadline: Spring 2026 Obermann Writing Collective

Friday, January 23, 2026 5:00pm
111 Church Street

This program offers accountability to artists, scholars, and researchers working on any kind of writing project (articles, essays, fellowship or grant applications, dissertations, book projects, edited volumes, etc.) who want dedicated time, a cozy space, and a community for the practice of writing.

In spring 2026, four writing groups will meet in our Writers' Attic at the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies at 111 Church St. Each group will meet once a week for 1.5 hours, beginning the week of...

Past Events

Book Matters: Melissa Febos and Donika Kelly promotional image

Book Matters: Melissa Febos and Donika Kelly

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Prairie Lights Books
Join acclaimed authors Melissa Febos, professor of English and director of the Nonfiction Writing Program, and Donika Kelly, associate professor of English, as they read from their latest books and discuss the intimate, transformative themes that shape their work.
Book Matters: Jamel Brinkley in conversation with Stephen Lovely promotional image

Book Matters: Jamel Brinkley in conversation with Stephen Lovely

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Prairie Lights Books

Join us for a special Book Matters celebrating acclaimed author Jamel Brinkley, recipient of a 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2022–2023 Rome Prize in Literature.

Provost Kevin Kregel will recognize Brinkley for his external awards. Brinkley will read a selection from his work and then join Stephen Lovely, novelist and director of the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, for conversation and audience Q&A.

“Jamel Brinkley is one of the best story writers we have…Read everything this man writes, and know...

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