Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Seminar on Wonder
Call for Public 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 promote engaged discussion, creative expression and informed public programming about topics of pressing public interest. Each year, we select a group of faculty, students and community members beyond UTulsa to collaborate in a series of seminar style discussions that will lead to larger projects, undertaken collectively or individually. These might include performances, creative works, lectures, conferences, exhibitions or activities designed to spur civic action and service. The admissions committee judges applications based on an assessment of the proposal’s originality and potential for sparking dialogue encompassing diverse backgrounds and beliefs.
Public fellows must be able to attend events in person and will receive modest stipends to support their work, commuting and childcare expenses while in the fellowship
Application Instructions
Applications for participation in the seminar should include the following.
- A short resume or CV, including contact information.
- A brief letter of reference.
- 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 and how does it connect with your civic, professional, intellectual, personal or artistic interests?
- How would participation in this seminar contribute to your own work, interests, practice or profession? What kind of project do you see coming out of your participation in the seminar?
- What are some of the key works (books, images, performances, films, articles, etc.) that you believe raise important issues about the theme? Please simply list 10-12 items.
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).