From the Global to the Local: A Symposium on Community-Engaged Humanities
Anna Arabindan–Kesson, African American Studies and Art and Archaeology; Tania Boster, Program for Community–Engaged Scholarship; Suzanne Conklin Akbari, Institute for Advanced Study; Tessa Lowinske Desmond, SPIA
Thu, 2/26—Fri, 2/27 · 301 Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building
Department of English; Humanities Council
“From the Global to the Local” brings together participants from Princeton and nearby organizations and institutions for collaborative, creative conversations over two days. Our shared aim is to grow the mutual impact and transformative effects of academic humanities and social sciences, working with co-design and deep collaboration with local communities.
The symposium shines a light on humanities and social sciences research that engages with ways of working and thinking outside the academy, for social good. We aspire to think together collectively about the purpose and social license of universities and humanities during an age of “polycrisis.”
Humanities and social sciences knowledge are transformed when they incorporate elements of codesign and bring together research academics with community organizations. Yet this kind of work is still non-mainstream at many universities. All the presenters at the symposium are engaged in research and community practice that’s creative, flexible and responsive to problem-solving in local settings.
The skills and values intrinsic to Humanities research – creative analysis, powerful storytelling, emotional connectivity and bringing unheard voices and perspectives into focus — are uniquely suited to address issues of inequality, exclusion and marginalization. Through this symposium we hope to contribute meaningfully to emerging conversations within and beyond universities about how humanities can uniquely contribute to knowledge in a post-AI working world.
We ask how community-based knowledge and practices can change humanities research and vice versa. Working with communities and building local networks is crucial to the future of humanities, and the humanities offer crucial perspectives and capacities to problem solving outside the academic setting of universities.
We will present a small group of research projects grounded in community, which emphasize the importance of hyper-local work in building global knowledge. Invited audience-members will meaningfully engage and contribute to a conversation over 2 days, with an emphasis on creative, interactive presentations and inclusive conversations.
The symposium is supported by a Humanities Council Collaborative Humanities Project and presented by the Department of English. Organized by Sophie Gee (English).
