Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 8h

This National Arts & #Humanities Month, we are highlighting the work of our colleagues across the nation.

Mass Humanities’ interactive timeline, created as a companion to the Smithsonian’s “Voices and Votes” exhibition, celebrates nine key figures who have impacted their state’s history.

Building Blocks of Democracy - Mass Humanities

“Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” is on tour in Massachusetts April 2025 - Jan. 2026. Learn about fascinating leaders in our history.

masshumanities.org

1 1

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 1d

“We are a fangless, clawless, furless species, and we survive only in community.”

How a Community of Readers Saved Their Book Festival

#humanities

Opinion | How a Community of Readers Saved Their Book Festival

www.nytimes.com

3 1

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 6d

The Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study’s inaugural competition for fellowships is open.

Launched by Miguel Tamen (NHC Fellow, 2010–11), the Gulbenkian is an independent institute in Portugal that supports communities of fellows for limited periods. Apply by Oct 15.

Fellowships Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study

Apply for a research opportunity at the GIAS in Lisbon. Submit your application for the academic year 2026/27.

gulbenkian.pt

2 3

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 6d

Calling artists, scholars, educators, and other #humanities practitioners!

We invite you to submit event proposals for the 2026 #BeingHumanFestUS, a public humanities initiative for diverse, non-academic audiences across the U.S.

Learn more about the Festival & how to apply: bit.ly/3Iq7Z8Q

2026 Being Human Festival (US) - Submit Your Proposal Today

2 2

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 7d

October is National Arts and Humanities Month. To celebrate, we are spotlighting some of the amazing and important work being done by our colleagues in communities across the US. Stay tuned for featured initiatives from our peers nationwide.

#NAHM #Humanities #ArtsAndHumanities

About Humanities Councils - Federation of State Humanities Councils

Programs that Serve All Americans Humanities councils are exemplary of the strongest public/private partnership. Funds distributed to the councils by NEH are locally controlled and used by councils to...

www.statehumanities.org

1 1

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 8d

Can we disagree without division?

Journalist Jane Ferguson will join philosopher Cornel West and legal scholar Robert P. George for a conversation about respectful debate on the questions that matter most.

Register for the livestream: bit.ly/3VJKKJY

In Conversation: How to Disagree Agreeably event with Cornel West, Robert P. George, and Jane Ferguson. Register for the livestream.

1 2

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 13d

“Writing the book changes me profoundly.”

@marthasjones.bsky.social reflects on the transformative power of researching and writing her latest book, “The Trouble of Color,” with @tressiemcphd.bsky.social during a lunchtime conversation held last week at the Center.

10 46

Reposted by National Humanities Center

American Council of Learned Societies @acls1919.bsky.social · 14d

Apply by Jan. 27 to The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars, placing early-career scholars in positions with @lionsroar.com, @tricyclemag.bsky.social, @artsmia.bsky.social, The Courtauld Institute of Art, & the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art: www.acls.org/BuddhismPublicScholars

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars

Buddhism Public Scholars use their expertise to bolster the capacity of host organizations in the area of Buddhist art and thought.

www.acls.org

4 5

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 15d

Congratulations to Tressie McMillan Cottom (NHC Fellow, 2025–26), recipient of the 2025 Thomas Wolfe Prize.

As this year’s recipient, Cottom will deliver the annual Thomas Wolfe Lecture on September 30 at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · Aug 23

A tiny announcement about this year’s Thomas Wolfe prize.

englishcomplit.unc.edu/program/wolfe/

Sep. 30.

2 17 99

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 16d

Congratulations to Patrick McKelvey (NHC Fellow, 2025–26), who recently received two book awards from the National Communication Association. Learn more about Patrick’s work and his NHC fellowship project: bit.ly/42B1KG2

NYU Press @nyupress.bsky.social · 19d

Congratulations to our authors for their success at the NCA National Awards!

Patrick McKelvey won the 2025 Lilla A. Heston Award and the GLBTQ Comm. Studies Division Book Award for "Disability Works," and Mel Stanfill earned the 2025 Diamond Anniversary Book Award for "Fandom Is Ugly."

4

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 21d

In the current climate, how important are the #humanities? What humanities-related issue(s) are you most concerned about?

Help us shape our future by sharing your unique perspectives in this brief survey: bit.ly/47LLOnY

A group gathered in The Teachers Commons at the National Humanities Center.

1 4

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 26d

Are you passionate about the #publichumanities and have a unique community-focused event idea? We welcome proposals from prospective partners looking to stage a community-focused event as part of #BeingHumanFestUS 2026. #humanities

Being Human Festival (US) | National Humanities Center

The Being Human Festival's community-focused events demonstrate how the humanities add depth and meaning to our lives, help us understand ourselves and one another, and provide context for the complex...

nationalhumanitiescenter.org

2 2

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 28d

Absolutely! I found it fascinating and informative.

1

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 29d

Insightful podcast episode exploring how the United States built its federal government between 1789 and 1829.

Liz Covart @lizcovart.bsky.social · 29d

NEW EPISODE

📊 In 1790, the U.S. federal government had about

1,000 employee. By 1829? Nearly 30,000.

How did a government that small manage diplomacy, law, and westward expansion?

🎧 Ep. 420 with Peter Kastor: www.benfranklinsworld.com/420

Episode 420: Peter Kastor, Creating the U.S. Federal Government

When we think about the founding of the United States, we often focus on the Constitution, the Founding Fathers, and those first landmark elections. But how did the United States actually build its fe...

www.benfranklinsworld.com

1 4

Reposted by National Humanities Center

American Council of Learned Societies @acls1919.bsky.social · 29d

Calling scholars studying the Arab World or Latin America! Apply for the ACLS Marwan M. and Ute Kraidy Centennial Fellowship by Sept. 25, 9PM. Special interest in supporting comparative or transnational approaches. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Q0Oi5I

ACLS Marwan M. and Ute Kraidy Centennial Fellowship in the Study of the Arab World and Latin America. Supporting humanities and social sciences scholars. Apply by Sept. 25 9 PM EDT.

2 2

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · 29d

A.I. School Is in Session: Two Takes on the Future of Education

“I think that A.I. is going to help break, in a sense, the university model that has anyway reached a certain kind of end game,” says the Princeton professor D. Graham Burnett.

#humanities #artificialintelligence

A.I. School Is in Session: Two Takes on the Future of Education

www.nytimes.com

1

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · Sep 8

Join us in welcoming our 2025–26 Teacher Advisory Council.

These teachers, representing schools in twelve states, will collaborate with the Center’s staff to pilot, evaluate, and promote NHC resources and professional development programs for collegiate and pre-collegiate educators. #humanities

National Humanities Center Names 2025–26 Teacher Advisory Council | National Humanities Center

Teachers from schools in 12 states will work with the Center’s staff to pilot, evaluate, and promote NHC resources and professional development programs.

bit.ly

1 4

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · Sep 5

Interested in applying for the 2026–27 academic year? Applications close October 2, 2025.

Scholarly Programs | National Humanities Center

The National Humanities Center provides scholars with an environment and resources conducive to generating new knowledge and furthering understanding of the human experience.

bit.ly

1

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · Sep 5

Did you know 1,783 books have resulted from NHC fellowships?

Over the past five decades, the Center has been privileged to support the work of some of the world’s leading humanists, and to enlist their expertise on behalf of its programs for educators and public #humanities work.

The John P. Birkelund Lounge at the National Humanities Center.

1 4 11

Reposted by National Humanities Center

Laura Ansley @lmansley.bsky.social · Sep 3

Want to read about @austinmccoy.bsky.social's Hip Hop History class? He wrote about it for #AHAPerspectives last year: 🗃️

12 42

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · Sep 4

We're looking forward to this vital conversation between higher education leaders, researchers, and practitioners in Research Triangle Park on September 17. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. #AI #artificialintelligence

The Human Edge: Our Future with Artificial Intelligences

Higher education leaders, researchers, and practitioners will meet in Research Triangle Park on September 17th to explore the evolution of the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence (...

www.rti.org

2 3

Reposted by National Humanities Center

Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · Sep 2

I set up my perfect little office at the National Humanities Center today and then promptly sat down and cried.

This is what it has all been for.

22 11 790

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · Aug 29

The National Humanities Center stands firmly in support of the Smithsonian Institution, its administration, and its museum professionals. Please read the complete statement on our website.

Statement in Support of the Smithsonian Institution | National Humanities Center

The National Humanities Center stands firmly in support of the Smithsonian Institution, its administration, and its museum professionals. The Smithsonian must be allowed to fulfill its mission without...

bit.ly

13 53

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · Aug 25

As students across the country begin their first year at university, consider the formative impact of their first semester classes. Thérèse Cory (NHC Fellow, 2017–18), in this #Humanities Moment, recounts how a story she learned in her first year set her on a path to become a philosophy professor.

Set on a Path by Socrates - Humanities Moments

As a college freshman, Thérèse Cory encountered Plato’s Socratic dialogue Euthyphro for the first time. Reading Socrates’ exhortations for Euthyphro—a man

humanitiesmoments.org

2

National Humanities Center @natlhumanities.bsky.social · Aug 21

Why so few Americans read for pleasure

"Fewer Americans than ever before are reading for pleasure, according to a new study released Wednesday, declining 40 percent in the past 20 years."

Why so few Americans read for pleasure

The decline in Americans’ leisure reading comes as attention spans are shrinking and print book sales are in decline.

www.washingtonpost.com

2 6 26