Wyoming Institute for Humanities Research

The Wyoming Institute for Humanities Research strives to support high-level interdisciplinary research in the humanities and to serve as a hub of community and thought partnership for faculty, students, staff, and the public. Founded in 2013, WIHR showcases scholarship in the fields of Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Law, Literature, Philosophy, Rhetoric, and more! In addition to sponsoring collaborative events and talks by visiting scholars, we support the research projects of University of Wyoming faculty, students, and staff.

WHO WE ARE

The Cooper House surrounded by fall foliage
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How we support humanities research

Humanities research is essential for understanding the past, present, and future of human lives and communities. The support we provide helps big ideas make an impact in the world.

Funding at each stage of the research process

Through our funding programs, we seek to support research in its initial stages, fund data collection in the archive or the field, help ideas be refined and revised, and contribute to books nearing publication. And we're always listening to what researchers need so that we can best support them. Our current programs, which are open to humanities researchers irrespective of department, discipline or rank, include funding opportunities for travel, subventions, workshops, events, community-engaged research and more. 

 

A year-long fellowship program

Each academic year, we award fellowships for our Humanities Research Group program, providing time, funding, and intellectual community to help reserchers make significant progress on their projects. Fellows work together in weekly meetings to workshop their ideas and commit to the submission of a publication, performance, exhibition, or proposal within twelve months of receiving the fellowship. Furthermore, each cohort nominates one of its members to give the annual Sandeen Lecture in the Humanities.

Fostering Collaboration & Community

Each semester, we host a variety of humanities events for faculty, students, staff, and the public, occurring both on campus in and in the wider community. We hope to create spaces where people can connect, learn from each other, and collaborate across disciplines. Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media, so that you can join us at our next event!

 

We are also glad to support events hosted by other departments. If you'd like us to promote a humanities-related event, email us at humanities@uwyo.edu. We can feature events in the carousel above, as well as in our blog, newsletter, and social media.

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How we make an impact

By supporting UW's hard-working humanities researchers, we help the humanities flourish across campus and beyond. 

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Fellowships awarded since since 2019
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Travel awards issued in Spring 2025, funding research across the world
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Number of events hosted or supported since 2019
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Prof. Nik Sweet recently published his book The Verbal Art of Mobility in West Africa with Indiana University Press. In collaboration with the Dept. of Anthropology, we hosted a book lauch to celebrate his important research.

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Lily Leman was the first recepient of our scholarship for undergraduates studying the humanities, awarded in partnership with the College of Arts & Sciences. Follow the link to learn why she values the humanities.

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This summer, Prof. Peter Fine has been working on finishing his book The New Design Documentary, which analyses some of the films pictured here. Follow the link to hear him discuss with his research with Prof. Dan Auerbach.

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Professors Harvey Hix and Steve Dillon recorded a podcast episode about Hix's book American Outrage: A Testamentary. Check it out to learn more about Hix's creative approach to discussing gun violence in the U.S.

The back of the Cooper House, surrounded by fall foliage
Support the Humanities at UW!

The good work we do in the humanities is increasingly under threat—and increasingly urgent. We remain ardently committed to supporting high-level interdisciplinary research in the humanities and to serving as a hub of community for faculty, students, staff, and the public. You can make an impact by supporting our work.

Donate today