Institute for Humanities Research hosts networking reception

Every year the Institute for Humanities Research (IHR) offers dozens of collaborative, interdisciplinary research funding and advancement opportunities. Join us at the reception for the chance to learn about 2012-2013 IHR programs and meet some IHR Fellows, Seed Grant investigators and Research Cluster facilitators.

This year’s event will feature presentations by Ayanna Thompson, professor, Department of English and associate dean for research, and Leah Sarat, assistant professor, School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies. The event will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Sept. 12, in the Social Science building, room 109, on the Tempe campus.

Ayanna Thompson will talk about her experience as a multiple year Seed Grant recipient and her funded project, “The Shakespeare Cognition Research Project: Classical Drama and Perceptions of Race,” co-authored by Bradley Ryner, Assistant Professor, Department of English. This project seeks to gather, analyze, and theorize empirical data about audience receptions of nontraditionally cast classical performances. While many in the mainstream media claim that "Generation M[edia]"—eight to eighteen year olds who have grown up with, and on, the internet—is the post-race generation that no longer "sees" race, empirical research indicates that race remains a salient identity category for young people.

Leah Sarat will present on her involvement in the 2011-12 IHR Fellows program and her project, “Shielded by the Blood of Christ: Evangelical Migrants in Mexico and the United States.” The project examines the experience of evangelical Christian migrants on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. By exploring the tensions and emerging solidarities between immigrant and non-immigrant evangelicals in the context of present-day Arizona, this project is aimed at bringing a fresh perspective to highly polarized national debates.

Additionally, Dan Gilfillan, IHR acting director and associate professor, School of International Letters and Cultures, and Mark Cruse, IHR associate director and associate professor, School of International Letters and Cultures will discuss what research opportunities are available in each program, and highlight upcoming Institute events.

Join us to network with colleagues from across the university, discover common areas of interest and share your research perspectives.

RSVP here for the Research Networking Reception. For more information, contact the IHR at 480-965-3000 or ihr@asu.edu.