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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Comprehensive services to assist faculty and students in their scholarly work

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Dedicated space/time allocated for research and teaching activities

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Recognition and celebration of achievements and contributions of our community

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Upcoming Events

Holding Space: Stories of Interdisciplinary Collaboration — Counterpoint event featuring Stephanie Miracle promotional image

Holding Space: Stories of Interdisciplinary Collaboration — Counterpoint event featuring Stephanie Miracle

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 5:00pm to 5:15pm
Voxman Music Building

Join us to celebrate the interdisciplinary work of University of Iowa choreographer and assistant professor of dance Stephanie Miracle, recipient of the 2026 Obermann Interdisciplinary Achievement Award.

Miracle will bring together dance, engineering, and the humanities in a new choreographed work featuring dancers performing alongside robots built by the University of Iowa College of Engineering, with narration by Eric Gidal.

A conversation among Miracle, Gidal, and engineering collaborator Deema...

Application Deadline: Obermann Symposium Directorship (2027–28) promotional image

Application Deadline: Obermann Symposium Directorship (2027–28)

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 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...

Book Matters: Tisa Bryant and Sarah Minor promotional image

Book Matters: Tisa Bryant and Sarah Minor

Friday, November 13, 2026 7:00pm
Prairie Lights Books
Join Tisa Bryant, associate professor of English, and Sarah Minor, assistant professor of English, as they read from their latest books and discuss the themes that shape their work. This event is free and open to the public.

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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