Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Seminar on Wonder
Call for Faculty Fellows
Application Deadline: Friday, May 15
About our Theme
Wonder is the origin of philosophy, said Socrates – the deep wellspring of our most fundamental questions: Who are we? What can we know? How should we act? From the toddler blowing dandelion seeds into the breeze, or the child enchanted by the sea of stars over a field full of fireflies, wonder is that essential awe and curiosity that, should we choose to cultivate it, not only guides our inquiry but keeps us young at heart. Encapsulated poetically across genres such as Japanese haiku, Mesoamerican flower-song, riddles and the lyrical verse of Dickinson, Hughes or Oliver; developed narratively in coming-of-age novels, fantasy, magical realism or science fiction; expressed through music, visual arts, cinema, theater and the sciences – wonder leads us down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass to the kaleidoscopic cabinet of curiosities that is our marvelous source of creativity.
For the 2026-27 academic year, the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities will highlight the theme of wonder through our seminar, as well as through gallery exhibits and related events at 101 Archer, to amplify the voices and works of thinkers, artists and scientists from the greater Tulsa area and beyond. We seek to explore the theme across cultures and eras, in myriad manifestations, from a panoply of disciplinary perspectives, and with the participation of the diverse public of our Oklahoma base. Join us as we delve into wonder, where everything becomes, in Alice’s words, “curiouser and curiouser”…
We encourage application from all those working in the arts, humanities and social sciences who are eager to explore the topic. The Center’s work will be broadly interdisciplinary and draw on the distinctive tools of the arts and humanities while also weaving them together with science, law, business, medicine and engineering. Fellows will pursue their own research, while also helping design a robust array of public programs at 101 Archer, including exhibitions, lectures, performances and more. Faculty will pursue this work alongside specially selected students as well as members of the larger Tulsa community who will bring their own expertise and perspectives to bear
About the Fellowship
The Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Seminar, sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities at The University of Tulsa, seeks to generate new research, inspire innovative teaching, create campus community, engage the city of Tulsa and break through silos by supporting interdisciplinary work on topics of timely public and intellectual interest. This year, a group of approximately eight participants will be chosen to collaborate in a series of weekly seminar discussions running throughout the fall semester.
Faculty fellows will receive research stipends to support research, travel, course development and publication. Such work could include scholarly papers, course design, creative projects or efforts designed to spur civic action and participation. Additional funding will be available to help create public programs and support the presentation of original work at conference, exhibitions and other such events. All full-time UTulsa faculty are eligible to apply
Application Instructions
Applications for participation in the seminar should include the following.
- A current CV, including contact information.
- Full responses to the three application questions listed below.
Applications should be sent by electronic attachment to humanities@utulsa.edu
Application Deadline: Friday, May 15
Application Questions (no more than 1,500 words total)
- What is it about the concept of wonder (broadly conceived) that most interests you? What are the questions that you would like to see addressed in the seminar?
- How will participation in the seminar contribute to your teaching, writing, creative and/or other kinds of work? What kinds of projects do you envision arising out of your participation in the seminar?
- Provide a short list of works (books, images, performances, films, articles, etc.) that you have found important or provocative in relation to the seminar’s theme.
To get a sense of the OCH’s public humanities initiatives, please visit our website, https://humanities.utulsa.edu/. If you have questions about the seminar and the application process, please contact the current OCH associate director, Dr. Bruce D. Willis (bruce-willis@utulsa.edu).