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

dollar bill icon


Substantial financial support for research and teaching initiatives

find support

Services

two hands shaking


Comprehensive services to assist faculty and students in their scholarly work

Explore Services

Space / Time

icon of an hourglass


Dedicated space/time allocated for research and teaching activities

Find Resources

Visibility

icon depicting fireworks


Recognition and celebration of achievements and contributions of our community

Learn more

 

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

Conflict and Resolution — An Obermann Wide Lens Event promotional image

Conflict and Resolution — An Obermann Wide Lens Event

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)

In a world shaped by tension, disagreement, and change, conflict surrounds us, from moments of personal friction to struggles within communities and across nations. It surfaces in our institutions, our relationships, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others. How do conflicts take shape and persist? How are they influenced by power, perspective, and history? Can conflict be generative? What forms might resolution take? How do we begin that process?

This Wide Lens event brings together...

*POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER* Unearth a Story: Traditional Toys & Games in Polk City promotional image

*POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER* Unearth a Story: Traditional Toys & Games in Polk City

Thursday, June 11, 2026 10:00am
Luana Bank Community Center
Cherie Haury-Artz from the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist will present on Traditional Toys and Games, an all ages, family-friend program to be held at the Luana Bank Community Room and hosted by the Polk City Library as part of their Unearth a Story summer reading program.

Partners