{"id":40,"date":"2025-11-05T16:18:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T21:18:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/higgins-institute\/?page_id=40"},"modified":"2026-03-10T11:15:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:15:21","slug":"research-collaboratives","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/higgins-institute\/research-collaboratives\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Collaboratives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:45rem\">\n<p class=\"intro is-style-intro has-medium-font-size\">Research collaboratives supported by the Higgins Institute provide a vibrant platform for fostering diverse research endeavors. By bringing together scholars from varied disciplines, these collaboratives encourage innovative and interdisciplinary exploration of complex issues. They serve as incubators for new ideas, facilitate collaborative projects, and create opportunities for public engagement. Through workshops, lectures, and material support for collaborative research, these networks nuture the development of cutting-edge scholarship that addresses both historical and contemporary challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull section-intro has-light-warm-gray-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-stretch is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-image:url(&apos;https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/higgins-institute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/109\/research-collaborative-block.avif&apos;);background-position:7.000000000000001% 51%;background-size:cover;background-attachment:scroll;\" class=\"wp-block-group padded lifted has-white-background-color has-background wp-container-content-69bc4bdf is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:25.625rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded has-charcoal-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f2db2398496352561c36c15dee7cb2c1 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"intro has-large-font-size\">Our research collaboratives empower faculty and students alike to pursue meaningful inquiries, driving intellectual growth and contributing to the broader academic and public discourse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group section is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns equal-height is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-light-teal-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-our-current-research-collaboratives\">Our Current Research Collaboratives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Higgins Institute currently sponsors and supports three research collaboratives. The&nbsp;<strong>Digital Humanities<\/strong>&nbsp;collaborative merges technology with humanities research, leveraging digital tools for the study of history, language and literature, the arts, and culture.&nbsp;<strong>Early Modernists Unite<\/strong>&nbsp;connects scholars of medieval and early modern Europe and America, offering a public lecture series titled&nbsp;<em>Roots of Everything<\/em>&nbsp;that links historical insights to contemporary issues. The&nbsp;<strong>Environmental Humanities<\/strong>&nbsp;collaborative explores the intersection of environment, culture, and society, addressing pressing global climate challenges through an arts and humanities lens. Together, these collaboratives drive forward-thinking research, public engagement, and dynamic teaching practices.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-light-yellow-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-our-research-collaborative-membership-policy\">Our Research Collaborative Membership Policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Membership in the Higgins Institute Research Collaboratives is open to all Clark faculty members and faculty members in the&nbsp;HECCMA Consortium. While our primary focus in our research collaboratives is on faculty development and support, we recognize the importance of inclusive academic growth. Therefore, we offer selective access to our events, programs, and resources to Clark staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students. This access is designed to enhance their educational experience, promote mentorship opportunities, and encourage their participation in scholarly activities. Our goal is to create a vibrant intellectual community that benefits from diverse perspectives and contributions, while maintaining a strong emphasis on faculty-led research and innovation.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-digital-humanities\">Digital Humanities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Overview<\/summary>\n<p>The landscape of academic research is evolving rapidly, shaped by advances in technology and new methodologies that challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries. At the forefront of this transformation is the Digital Humanities Research Collaborative, a dynamic initiative that brings together scholars from diverse fields to explore the intersection of digital technology and the humanities. This collaborative is not just a response to the changing nature of research; it is a proactive effort to redefine how we understand, interpret, and share human culture and knowledge in the digital age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bridging Disciplines, Innovating Methods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Digital Humanities Research Collaborative is a vibrant community of scholars from a range of disciplines, including literature, languages, interactive media, music, art, history, computer and data science, and media studies. The collaborative seeks to harness the power of digital tools to ask new questions, open new lines of inquiry, and push the boundaries of traditional humanities research. By integrating computational methods, data analysis, and digital media, the collaborative is fostering innovative approaches that are reshaping the way we engage with texts, artifacts, and cultural phenomena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Areas of Research<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The work of the collaborative spans several key areas of research, each contributing to the broader goal of advancing the digital humanities. Recent workshops in our \u201c_hello world: digital research in the arts &amp; humanities\u201d series have explored topics such as&nbsp;<strong>minimal computing approaches<\/strong>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.elotroalex.com\/profiles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alex Gil<\/a>&nbsp;(Yale);&nbsp;<strong>textual analysis<\/strong>, where scholars use digital tools to analyze large corpora of texts;&nbsp;<strong>data visualization<\/strong>, using innovative methods to represent complex data in ways that are both accessible and insightful; and&nbsp;<strong>databases<\/strong>, including concepts such as structured data, SQL and querying techniques. By leveraging computational techniques, researchers can uncover insights that were previously inaccessible, offering new perspectives on familiar texts and uncovering hidden connections between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This fall, we are embarking on an initiative aimed at expanding the cross-disciplinary arts curriculum with new technological resources and techniques. For the next four years and with the support of an external grant, a faculty-led interactive arts group will explore new media and technology in creative work, research, and teaching\/learning. Faculty in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and the Becker School of Design and Technology will play a determining role, but participation will be open to all Clark faculty. The initial focus of this group (and the grant) will be Extended Reality\/Virtual Reality (XR\/VR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Approach<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What sets the Digital Humanities Research Collaborative apart is its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. By convening experts from different fields, the collaborative fosters an environment where ideas can cross pollinate and new approaches can emerge. This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches individual projects but also helps to create a more integrated and holistic understanding of the humanities in the digital age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Engaging with the Public<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to its research, the collaborative is committed to public engagement and education. Through workshops, seminars, and digital exhibits, the collaborative aims to make its work accessible to a broader audience. By sharing their findings and methodologies, the collaborative is helping to democratize access to knowledge and empowering others to explore the digital humanities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A Vision for the Future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Digital Humanities Research Collaborative is more than a research group; it is a vision for the future of humanities scholarship. By embracing the possibilities of digital technology and fostering a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, the collaborative is not only advancing our understanding of the past and present but also shaping the future of research and education. In doing so, it is ensuring that the humanities remain a vital and dynamic part of the academic landscape in the 21st century.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Members<\/summary>\n<p>Current members of the Digital Humanities Research Collaborative include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/eduard-arriaga-arango\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eduard Arriaga-Arango<\/a>, Language, Literature, and Culture, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/davis-baird\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Davis Baird<\/a>, Philosophy, Emeritus, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duc Minh Bui, School of Professional Studies, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/library\/about-us\/meet-the-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Katherine Collins<\/a>, Goddard Library, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/ezra-cove\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ezra Cove<\/a>, Becker School of Design and Technology, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/chris-davey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chris Davey<\/a>, Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/odile-ferly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Odile Ferly<\/a>, Language, Literature, and Culture, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/john-freyermuth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Freyermuth<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/sherry-freyermuth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sherry Freyermuth<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/beth-gale\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beth Gale<\/a>, Language, Literature, and Culture, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/john-garton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Garton<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/pawan-gupta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pawan Gupta<\/a>, Computer Science, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/li-han\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Li Han<\/a>, Computer Science, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/gary-holness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gary Holness<\/a>, Computer Science, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/john-magee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Magee<\/a>, Computer Science and Dean of the College, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/matt-malsky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt Malsky<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts and the Higgins Institute, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/ilir-mborja\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ilir Mborja<\/a>, Becker School of Design and Technology, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/shuo-niu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shuo Niu<\/a>, Computer Science, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/departments\/visual-and-performing-arts\/people\/our-staff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Christopher Ruble<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/library\/about-us\/meet-the-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cynthia Shenette<\/a>, Goddard Library, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/library\/about-us\/meet-the-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Catherine Stebbins<\/a>, Goddard Library, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/minka-stoyanova\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minka Stoyanova<\/a>, Becker School of Design and Technology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/alice-valentine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alice Valentine<\/a>, Language, Literature, and Culture, Emerita, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/kristina-wilson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kristina Wilson<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To inquire about joining the collaborative, please contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:MMalsky@clarku.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt Malsky<\/a>, Professor (Visual and Performing Arts) and Director of the Higgins Institute at Clark.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-early-modernists-unite\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Early Modernists Unite<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Overview<\/summary>\n<p>Our Early Modernists Unite research collaborative convenes scholars of the arts and humanities disciplines from across campus to explore the late medieval and early modern eras (approximately 1300-1800) in Europe, the Americas, and beyond. The group includes historians, literary and language scholars, art and music historians, philosophers, political scientists, and cultural theorists, all of whom are deeply invested in understanding the complexities of the past and its enduring impact on the present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The collaborative\u2019s mission is to foster research and teaching that explores the intricate cultural, social, political, and intellectual landscapes of the medieval and early modern eras. The group meets regularly to share new and ongoing work in a spirit of collegial, interdisciplinary inquiry and discussion. Often scholars from other local institutions join in as guests. Recent topics have included Renaissance landscape and statuary design, native listening in New England sermon culture, intersections of race, emotions, and disability in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century texts, and the demimonde of&nbsp;eighteenth-century Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A key component of Early Modernists Unite is its commitment to integrating these scholarly concerns in the classroom. Faculty members bring their research into the classroom, creating courses that engage students with the rich tapestry of the past while also drawing connections to modern-day issues. This approach not only enriches the academic experience for students but also underscores the relevance of historical inquiry to understanding current events and cultural phenomena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the collaborative\u2019s most innovative initiatives is its public lecture series,&nbsp;<em>Roots of Everything<\/em>. This series highlights the many ways in which aspects of modern existence have their origins in the early modern world, offering the public a chance to see the past\u2019s influence on contemporary life. The lectures are designed to bridge the gap between scholarly research and public interest, making complex historical topics engaging to a broad audience. Recent lectures have covered a diverse array of subjects, including ongoing debates about gun control, the cultural fascination with zombies and the undead, and the evolution of self-portraiture from the Renaissance to the age of the selfie. Each lecture connects historical analysis with present-day concerns, revealing how the issues and ideas that shaped early modern society continue to resonate today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through these public engagements, Early Modernists Unite not only disseminates scholarly knowledge but also fosters a deeper understanding of how the past informs the present. Through all of its activities, the collaborative builds faculty synergy, encourages innovative approaches, scrutinizes methodologies, and advances academic knowledge. The collaborative is dedicated to showing that history is not merely a series of events relegated to dusty archives but a living, dynamic force that continues to shape our world.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Members<\/summary>\n<p>Current members of Early Modernists Unite include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/dianne-berg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dianne Berg<\/a>, English, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/robert-boatright\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Robert Boatright<\/a>, Political Science, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/wiebke-deimling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wiebke Deimling<\/a>, Philosophy, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/john-garton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Garton<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/danielle-hanley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Danielle Hanley<\/a>, Political Science, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/lisa-kasmer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lisa Kasmer<\/a>, English, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/willem-klooster\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Willem Klooster<\/a>, History, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/benjamin-korstvedt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Benjamin Korstvedt<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/nina-kushner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nina Kushner<\/a>, History, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dmandell.sites.truman.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Daniel Mandell<\/a>, History, Emeritus, Truman State University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/meredith-neuman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meredith Neuman<\/a>, English, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/naomi-pitamber\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Naomi Pitamber<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/justin-shaw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Justin Shaw<\/a>, English, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/virginia-vaughan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virginia Vaughan<\/a>, English, Emerita, Clark University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To inquire about joining the collaborative, please contact <a href=\"mailto:wdeimling@clarku.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wiebke Deimling<\/a>, Associate Professor (Philosophy).<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-environmental-humanities\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Environmental Humanities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Overview<\/summary>\n<p>The pressing environmental challenges of our time require not just scientific understanding, but also creative and cultural responses that can inspire change and foster deeper connections with the natural world. At Clark University, the environmental humanities take shape through both academic study and collaborative research. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/programs\/concentration\/environmental-humanities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Environmental Humanities concentration<\/a>, housed within the newly launched <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/climate-environment-society\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">School of Climate, Environment and Society<\/a> (CES), offers students interdisciplinary coursework that brings humanistic perspectives\u2014drawing on literature, history, philosophy, visual culture, and media\u2014to deepen understanding of how cultural values, narratives, and meaning shape our relationships with the more-than-human world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Complementing the academic program, the Environmental Humanities Research Collaborative, supported by the Alice Coonley Higgins Institute for Arts and Humanities, is a pioneering initiative that brings together scholars and creative artists to explore the intersections of environmental issues with art, culture, and the humanities. By combining creative expression with critical inquiry, this collaborative seeks to engage diverse audiences, provoke thought, and inspire action on environmental issues. It continues the Higgins Institute\u2019s long-standing commitment to environmental study, research, and programming, most notably through our previous affiliations with the <a href=\"https:\/\/councilontheuncertainhumanfuture.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Council on the Uncertain Human Future<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/newearthconversation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A new Earth conversation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A Fusion of Disciplines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At its core, the Environmental Humanities Research Collaborative bridges disciplines that are often seen as distinct. It convenes researchers from literature, languages, visual and performing arts, philosophy, and media studies alongside Clark scholars in social sciences and STEM fields who are confronting the climate crisis through research, teaching, and engagement across the globe. This interdisciplinary dialogue fosters innovative approaches, creates a safe space for experimentation, and encourages traditional boundaries to be transcended. By integrating the analytical tools of the humanities with the creative power of the arts, the collaborative offers fresh perspectives on environmental challenges and explores new ways of connecting with the Clark community and the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The research collaborative frequently brings faculty together to discuss how teaching can respond to the climate crisis. Centered on the question of how to educate in a time of uncertainty, instability, and injustice, these gatherings invite interdisciplinary conversation about pedagogical approaches that address environmental change. By convening faculty from diverse fields, the program highlights how the arts and humanities can contribute to the emerging School of Climate, Environment, and Society and help shape a curriculum that inspires and equips students to understand and engage with the complexities of the climate emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Engaging with Communities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Environmental Humanities Research Collaborative actively brings its work into public life through a range of events featuring Clark faculty and visiting scholars, often in collaboration with the Environmental Humanities concentration and other campus partners. Recently, affiliated faculty <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/odile-ferly\/\" id=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/odile-ferly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Odile Ferly<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/nana-kesse\/\" id=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/nana-kesse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nana Kesse<\/a> shared research connecting Caribbean mangrove ecosystems and West African environmental histories with cultural narrative and ecological insight. Public engagement has included film screenings paired with lively discussions. Recent examples include <em>The Last of the Nightingales<\/em> (2022), an immersive documentary featuring sound ecologist Bernie Krause that explores how climate change alters natural soundscapes and biodiversity, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul\u2019s powerful <em>MEMORIA<\/em> (2021), which prompted conversations about memory, place, and environmental perception, highlighting how artistic storytelling can deepen awareness of ecological and cultural interconnections. A recent TRIO symposium, <em>Animal Affects, Absences, and Planetary Politics<\/em>, brought together prominent scholars\u2014Cajetan Iheka (Yale University), Min Hyoung Song (Boston College), and Kari Weil (Wesleyan University)\u2014who engaged in conversation with each other about African ecological storytelling, literature and climate change, and human\u2013animal relationships. <em>Waking Up!<\/em>, a climate action jazz suite performed by Eric Hofbauer and The Five Agents, was co-sponsored by the Geller Jazz Series and the Higgins Institute as an opportunity to explore environmental activism through the arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through lectures, screenings, workshops, performances, panel discussions, and community walks featuring scholars and creative practitioners, the Environmental Humanities Research Collaborative finds new and innovative ways to foster public dialogue about the ethical, cultural, and ecological dimensions of environmental change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Imagining a Sustainable Future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Environmental Humanities Research Collaborative is more than a research initiative\u2014it is a space for imagining and creating a more sustainable future. By harnessing the power of artistic and humanistic approaches, the collaborative shapes new ways of thinking about the environment and our place within it. With the integration of the environmental humanities into conversations at the School of Climate, Environment and Society, Clark recognizes that the climate crisis has both material dimensions\u2014such as habitat loss, species extinction, and fossil fuel dependency\u2014and cultural dimensions, including the symbolic meanings, political institutions, and social structures that have made the crisis possible. The environmental humanities ask us to examine the very structures of everyday life in the contemporary era and to reimagine modernity in ways that are just, sustainable, and equitable.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Members<\/summary>\n<p>Current members of the Environmental Humanities Research Collaborative include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/eduard-arriaga-arango\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eduard Arriaga-Arango<\/a>, Language, Literature, and Culture, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/denise-humphreys-bebbington\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Denise Humphreys Bebbington<\/a>, Sustainability and Social Justice, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/katerine-bielaczyc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Katerine Bielaczyc<\/a>, Education, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/nathan-braccio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nathan Braccio<\/a>, History, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/chris-davey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chris Davey<\/a>, Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/stephen-dirado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stephen DiRado<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/timothy-downs\/\">Timothy Downs<\/a>, Sustainability and Social Justice, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/odile-ferly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Odile Ferly<\/a>, Language, Literature, and Culture, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/ellen-foley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ellen Foley<\/a>, Sustainability and Social Justice, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/christina-gerhardt\/\" id=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/christina-gerhardt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Christina Gerhardt<\/a>, Language, Literature, and Culture, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/nana-kesse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nana Kesse<\/a>, History, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/eman-lasheen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eman Lasheen<\/a>, Sustainability and Social Justice, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/stephen-levin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stephen Levin<\/a>, English, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/ken-maclean\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ken MacLean<\/a>, Sustainability and Social Justice, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/matt-malsky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt Malsky<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts and the Higgins Institute, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/deborah-martin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deborah Martin<\/a>, Geography, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/meredith-neuman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meredith Neuman<\/a>, English, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/toby-sisson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Toby Sisson<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/christopher-williams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Christopher Williams<\/a>, Geography, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/kristina-wilson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kristina Wilson<\/a>, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/terrasa-ulm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Terrasa Ulm<\/a>, Becker School of Design and Technology, Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/johanna-vollhardt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Johanna Vollhardt<\/a>, Psychology, Clark University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To inquire about joining the collaborative, please contact <a href=\"mailto:CGerhardt@clarku.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Christina Gerhardt<\/a>, Leir Chair and Professor (Language, Literature, and Culture), or <a href=\"mailto:slevin@clarku.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stephen Levin<\/a>, Associate Professor (English) at Clark University.  <\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Research collaboratives supported by the Higgins Institute provide a vibrant platform for fostering diverse research endeavors. By bringing together scholars from varied disciplines, these collaboratives encourage innovative and interdisciplinary exploration of complex issues. They serve as incubators for new ideas, facilitate collaborative projects, and create opportunities for public engagement. Through workshops, lectures, and material support [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-40","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Research Collaboratives | Alice Coonley Higgins Institute for Arts and Humanities | Clark University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/higgins-institute\/research-collaboratives\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Research Collaboratives\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Research collaboratives supported by the Higgins Institute provide a vibrant platform for fostering diverse research endeavors. 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