Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Seminar on Wonder
Call for Student 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, is intended to promote engaged, intellectual discussion on topics of current public and intellectual interest. Every year, a group of approximately eight research fellows will be chosen to collaborate on a series of weekly seminar discussions. It is hoped that these discussions will then lead into further projects, undertaken collectively or individually. These might include research papers, digital projects, creative works or efforts designed to spur civic action and service. The admissions committee will judge applications based on an assessment of the proposal’s interdisciplinary appeal and its potential for sparking dialogue among other members.
Undergraduate, graduate and law students at UTulsa across all majors and colleges are eligible for the seminar. The Center will cover all costs for participating in the seminar including books, films, transportation, meals and tickets to events. Course credit for participation is available, subject to approval by the appropriate dean.
Application Instructions
- A resume, CV, or short bio including contact information and an unofficial transcript.
- A brief letter of recommendation from a member of the UTulsa faculty.
- 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 educational goals? Do you see a project—perhaps a senior project, a TURC project, a conference paper, a dissertation chapter or some sort of artistic work—coming out of your participation in the seminar?
- Provide a short list of 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. If you have questions about the seminar and the application process, please contact the current OCH associate director, Bruce D. Willis.