Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Vysotsky · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Established	2001
Type	University of Cambridge research centre
Director	Steven Connor
Location	Cambridge, England
Website	http://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk

Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is a major interdisciplinary research institute within the University of Cambridge. Founded in 2001, it serves as a central hub for fostering collaborative research that transcends traditional academic boundaries between the humanities, social sciences, and arts. The centre is renowned for hosting a dynamic programme of workshops, conferences, and fellowships that attract leading scholars from around the world to address complex global questions.

History and establishment

The centre was formally established in 2001 under the auspices of the University of Cambridge, with foundational support from the British Academy and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Its creation was driven by a growing recognition within the university, exemplified by the work of thinkers like Simon Schama and Quentin Skinner, of the need for dedicated spaces for interdisciplinary dialogue. Early leadership, including its first director, played a pivotal role in securing its position within the Cambridge University Press ecosystem and the wider Russell Group of research-intensive institutions. The centre's establishment coincided with a broader European movement, seen in institutes like the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, towards supporting advanced study beyond conventional departmental structures.

Research themes and programmes

The centre's research is organized around annual and long-term thematic programmes that address pressing societal issues. Recent themes have explored areas such as the future of democracy, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and the cultural dimensions of climate change. Core programmes include prestigious postdoctoral and senior research fellowships, which have hosted scholars like Mary Beard and David Runciman. These initiatives often intersect with global challenges studied at other leading centres, such as the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris.

Facilities and resources

The centre is primarily housed in Alison Richard Building on the Sidgwick Site of the University of Cambridge. This facility provides dedicated spaces for its fellows, including seminar rooms, a common room, and administrative offices that support its extensive event schedule. A key resource is its comprehensive online archive of podcasts and lecture recordings, featuring contributions from figures like Judith Butler and Timothy Garton Ash. The centre also manages several dedicated research libraries and digital repositories, facilitating work that often partners with collections at the British Library and the Getty Research Institute.

Governance and organisation

The centre operates under the governance of the University of Cambridge, reporting through its School of Arts and Humanities and School of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Strategic direction is set by a management committee chaired by the director, a position held by academics such as Steven Connor and Simon Goldhill. An international advisory board, comprising distinguished figures from institutions like Harvard University and the Max Planck Society, provides external guidance. Day-to-day operations are supported by a team of professional staff managing fellowships, finance, and public engagement.

Notable projects and publications

The centre has produced significant collaborative outputs, including major publications with Cambridge University Press and influential policy reports for bodies like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Notable projects have examined the history of emotions, led by scholars such as Thomas Dixon, and the global impact of digital humanities. Its events have spawned influential edited volumes and special issues of journals like Critical Inquiry, while its podcast series regularly features dialogues with thinkers like Slavoj Žižek and Margaret Atwood.

Impact and collaborations

The centre exerts considerable influence on global interdisciplinary research, training early-career researchers who take up positions at universities like Oxford University and Stanford University. It maintains formal partnerships with numerous international entities, including the Australian National University and the National University of Singapore. Its public lectures and exhibitions, often held in venues like the Fitzwilliam Museum, engage wide audiences beyond academia. The centre's model of fostering collaboration has informed the development of similar institutes worldwide, strengthening networks across the European Union and with foundations like the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Category:University of Cambridge Category:Research institutes in the United Kingdom Category:Arts organizations established in 2001