Over the last couple of weeks, we shared 11 reasons the humanities matter. The humanities help us make sense of the world and our place in it. Thanks for following along and if you missed the series, it's worth a look. Which reason stood out to you the most?

What could you do with a year dedicated to your research? Applications are open for 2027–28 JHI Faculty Research Fellowships, offering eligible U of T faculty 12 months to pursue their research as part of the JHI's Circle of Fellows. Deadline: Oct. 16 https://uoft.me/calls #UofT

🎬 If the GenAI era in the film industry were a movie, who would be the heroes and villains, and what would be at stake? The Logline Project turns speculative stories by screenwriters into original movie posters exploring GenAI, creative work & an industry in flux. More: uoft.me/logline

That's a wrap! We're at our last reason to study the humanities: they help us think about meaning, belonging, and what it means to share a life with others. There are so many other reasons we could have covered...what are yours?

To understand where we are now, it helps to understand how we got here. The humanities give us that context and help us think about what comes next. What is one historical question you think more people should ask?

Humanities courses train you to read between the lines: to find deeper meaning, notice connections, and think more carefully about what you read. Have you ever picked up on something others missed?

📰 Our August newsletter is packed with info about what’s coming up at the JHI: 2027-28 fellowship opportunities, a new season of the Humanities at Large podcast, the opening of our next art exhibition, upcoming events, and more. 👉 Read now: mailchi.mp/utoronto/... Sign up: uoft.me/jhi-news

One of the best things you can gain from the humanities is stronger communication. You learn how to persuade, explain, and express your ideas with more confidence. What do you think makes someone a good communicator?

The humanities help us understand other people and cultures. That understanding can reduce conflict, build trust, and help create a more peaceful world. What do you think helps people understand one another better?

Critical thinking, research, empathy, collaboration, and communication all matter in every kind of work. Humanities courses help you build those skills. Which of those skills do you use most often in your life right now?

People are drawn to ideas, reflection, and meaning. The humanities offer opportunities to ask big questions and think seriously about life. What kind of questions do you find yourself returning to again and again?

A humanities degree opens up many paths, but studying the humanities also does something more: it helps you become a well-rounded person. What do you think you could do with a humanities degree?

Just because we can do something does not always mean we should. Studying the humanities helps you think through ethical choices and ask better questions. Have you ever had to decide between what you could do and what you should do?

Democracy needs informed, engaged citizens. Studying the humanities helps you think about public life, accountability, and the role of citizens in shaping the world around them. What do you think helps people stay engaged in public life?

In a world full of headlines, posts, and fast-moving information, critical thinking matters. Studying the humanities will help you spot logic gaps, question assumptions, and recognize fake news more confidently. What's one thing you look for when you're checking whether something is reliable?

The humanities help us think more deeply, communicate more clearly, and understand the world around us. Over the next 11 posts, we'll share why they matter now more than ever! What do you think we gain most from the humanities?

🚨 Deadline TODAY! Get your application in for the 2026–27 PEN Canada Exiled Writer-in-Residence 🔗 uoft.me/PEN26-27 @pencanada.bsky.social

🌎 Applications are open for the 2026–27 PEN Canada Exiled Writer-in-Residence. 🔗 uoft.me/PEN26-27 @pencanada.bsky.social

🌎 Applications are open for the 2026–27 PEN Canada Exiled Writer-in-Residence. 🔗 uoft.me/PEN26-27 @pencanada.bsky.social

📰 Check out our July 9 newsletter, featuring: 👏 Alison Keith invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada 👥 2026–27 Fellows ✍️ PEN Canada Exiled Writer-in-Residence Call 💻 DH@UofT Co-Working Space Call …and more! 👉 Read now: mailchi.mp/utoronto/... Subscribe uoft.me/jhi-news

In addition to the JHI Circle of Fellows we also support non-residential Fellows like our 6-month Faculty Research Fellows. Welcome Susana Bejar, Michael Chazan, Valentina Napolitano, Alejandro Paz, Martin Revermann and Atsuko Sakaki! uoft.me/6M-Fellows

As our annual theme Doubles, Doppelgangers begins, we welcome all of our incoming residential JHI Fellows. Look for profiles on each fellow as the year progresses! Meet our 2026-27 12-month fellows uoft.me/12M-Fellows

📰 Don't miss out! We're still publishing during the summer. Be the first to find out about our funding calls and events by signing up for our newsletter Next issue comes out July 9. Subscribe uoft.me/jhi-news

All of us at the JHI are delighted to share that our former Director, Alison Keith, has been invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada! We're so happy to see her receive this well-deserved honour. Please join us in congratulating her 👏👏

Doubles, Doppelgangers is the Jackman Humanities Institute's theme for 2026–27. Throughout the year, our Circle of Fellows, annual art exhibition, and Program for the Arts will explore this theme from a range of perspectives. More about our theme uoft.me/jhi-themes

We also say goodbye to our 2025–26 Six-Month Faculty Research Fellows and their diverse projects on Babylonian neighbourhoods, John Galt, matsutake mushrooms, digital diasporic youth media, and more. 👏👏👏

As another JHI fellowship year comes to a close, we thank our residential fellows for a year of sharing research, exchanging ideas, and building a community around our theme, Dystopia and Trust. While it's always difficult to say goodbye, we're excited to see where your next chapters take you.👏👏👏

🤖 How does AI shape the ways we feel, care, and connect? This poetry event uses creative writing, shared readings, and live engagements with AI systems to explore the affective dimensions of artificial intelligence and its role in shaping human relationships. 👉 More: uoft.me/cu3

Artist Shannon Garden-Smith, standing beside one of two lamps in the exhibition. In a hare’s form III, 2021. Pigmented gelatin, plant clippings, lamp cord, approximately 18” x 18” x 18”. You only have two days left to see Proof of Life, curated by Chloe Gordon-Chow. Info: uoft.me/jhi25-26

Patrick Cruz is one half of Boring Earth, a collaboration with fellow artist Laila Fox. You only have a few more days to see Proof of Life, curated by Chloe Gordon-Chow. We're open today from 9-11, Thursday 9-4 and Friday 9-4. Info: uoft.me/jhi25-26