This essay was written by Julia Morgan, a BYU Humanities Center student fellow. Dear Rilke, I know you were born in 1875, and that you didn’t write Letters to a Young Poet to me. But I’m in need of some counsel, and, as I am a Young Poet as well, …
Annual Symposium: “Touch: Sensation, Embodiment, Relation”
Call for Papers BYU Humanities Center Annual Symposium, Fall 2026 “Touch: Sensation, Embodiment, Relation” The sensation of touch is produced by one of the most complex systems in the human body. Current neuroscience research, for example, estimates that the human hand alone contains roughly 17,000 mechanoreceptors—bundles of cells, nerves, and sensory units—that relay myriad stimuli …
Every Nation, and Kindred, and Tongue, and People
This essay was written by Chris Rogers, a BYU Humanities Center faculty fellow. I think, write, and teach about language diversity a lot. In my classes students are asked to analyze the similarities and differences between languages from all over the world, how they have independently developed, and what they uniquely represent for the people …
No More, God
This essay was written by George Dibble, a BYU Humanities Center student fellow. Alone in my room, I listened to a neuroscientist (Caroline Leaf) talk about the 21st century’s rise in preventable deaths. She talked about surging anxiety, depression rates, and especially of my generation (Gen Z). Gallup reports that 47.8 million Americans are diagnosed …
Faculty Writing Retreat 2026
Call for Applications: BYU Humanities Center Summer Writing Retreat 2026 Deadline: 14 March 2026 Inspired by the productive example of the National Humanities Center, we are pleased to announce that the BYU Humanities Center will sponsor a Summer Writing Retreat in June 22 – 27, 2026. This retreat will provide you with space and time …
A Skeptic’s Guide to Truth
This essay was written by Porter Kindall, a BYU Humanities Center student fellow. “I want so badly to believe that there is truth, that love is real” – Ben Gibbard In the landscape of indie rock, few albums have achieved the cult status of The Postal Service’s Give Up. Released in 2003, the album charts the …
The Work of Humanities in an Age of AI Production
This essay was written by Brian Croxall, a BYU Humanities Center faculty fellow. As someone who has been—by one measure or another—very online for about 35 years, it’s fascinating to see technologies come and, sometimes, go. Back in February 2021, the venerable art auction house Christie’s sold its first ever “purely digital work of art.” …
Cycles of Love
This post was written by Brooke Farnsworth, a BYU Humanities Center student fellow. In first grade, my over-active imagination convinced me that I could control water. The idea made sense—the ocean always seems to listen to my beckoning, churning and whirling in an attempt to follow my demands, and the rain would gradually increase if …
One Year Fellowships 2026-27
BYU’s Humanities Center sponsors two one-year faculty fellowships. Unlike the multi-year fellowships, these one-year fellowships will be awarded by application rather than appointment. The fellowship period will begin in the fall semester of 2025. Fellowships will come with a salary supplement of $2,500, a research stipend of an additional $2,500, and release from two courses …
Undergraduate Fellow Nominations
We are currently looking for a new group of Humanities Center undergraduate fellows. Generous donors have made it possible for us to fund at least four student fellowships – the equivalent of a full scholarship – next year. As always, our pool of candidates will consist solely of nominations sent by you, our faculty. The …