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Humanities Research Centre

The hub for interdisciplinary research and postgraduate life in the Arts and Humanities at York

The Humanities Research Centre provides leadership and support for research, impact, knowledge exchange and public engagement across the world-leading Faculty of Arts & Humanities at the University of York.

We provide a stimulating and diverse environment in which interdisciplinary and external partnerships can flourish, and a welcoming, dedicated space for events and study.

We have a four-fold mission:

  • to support, develop and advocate for innovative research projects with reach and impact;
  • to nurture productive, creative and transformative partnerships with academic and non-academic collaborators;
  • to inspire, train and empower new cohorts of graduate and postgraduate researchers in the Arts & Humanities to become the next generation of global cultural leaders;
  • to promote and celebrate the work of Arts & Humanities researchers at the University of York among communities and audiences worldwide.

We believe that challenging circumscribed boundaries of knowledge through interdisciplinary, participatory and partnership working enriches our research, transforms its outcomes, and opens it up to a greater range of collaborators and beneficiaries.

We are a member of the international Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes and the UK Consortium of Institutes of Advanced Studies, contributing to the development and promotion of arts and humanities research nationally and globally.

Contact us

Humanities Research Centre

Berrick Saul Building, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
@@HRCYork

In a world where our very notions of truth are in jeopardy, we need the arts and humanities more than ever. Join us here at the HRC as we turn a critical lens to human cultures past, present and future, and rethink the boundaries of knowledge from fresh and inclusive perspectives. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Professor Rachel Cowgill, Director of the Humanities Research Centre and Associate Dean for Research in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities.

Research grant support

We’re here to help you with your research grant applications and awards. We can help to develop ideas, submit proposals and manage awards.

Impact support for staff

Get discipline-specific information about research impact for staff in arts and humanities.

How we support our postgraduate students

We offer vibrant training programmes, fellowships and grants, as well as a great working environment to our community of postgraduate researchers. It has dedicated study space and social space for postgraduate researchers and offers fellowships, project grants, public engagement opportunities, professionalising training and social events.

Working in the Berrick Saul building

We’re based in the Berrick Saul Building, one of the newest and most recognisable buildings on Campus West. Its calm, open and bright setting is ideal for close collaboration and effective creativity.

How we work in partnerships

We work closely and co-creatively with a wide variety of partners from the arts, heritage, media, creative industries, charity and community organisations, education and business, and our interdisciplinary research activity has impact across our wider communities.

Conducting ethical research

Get guidance and more information on conducting ethical research from the Arts and Humanities Ethics Committee (AHEC).

Jazz trumpeter plays in the street

Our research spotlights

We are supporting some of the UK’s most cutting-edge arts and humanities research and delivering fascinating insights into human cultures and the human condition. Our research is having a profound effect on societies today.

Some of our projects:

Place and Community

Place and Community connects University of York Arts & Humanities research with partner organisations to contribute to cultural wellbeing in our city, region and beyond, through place making and community building.

Visit the Place and Community website

Discover more

Contact us

Humanities Research Centre

Berrick Saul Building, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
@@HRCYork