Mapping Frontier Research in the Humanities

The study of the humanities is becoming more and more interdisciplinary, with research spanning a variety of methodic styles and engaging with fields outside the university. This transformative process is explored in Mapping Frontier Research in the Humanities, which highlights the intra- and extra-academic engagement of humanities researchers, their styles of research, and their interdisciplinary character. The volume suggests a republican theory of the humanities to capture the perceived divide between classical and 'post-academic modes of research, and proposes a heuristic appreciation of different types of impact and styles of research to create a more composite picture of research on human culture, language, and history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 28 June 2018
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The field of knowledge production in academia is experiencing a remarkable surge, characterized by its growing interdisciplinarity. This trend extends to the humanities, where research is conducted across diverse methodological approaches and increasingly involves collaborations with fields beyond the traditional boundaries of the university. As a result, the concept of liberal arts and humanities within Western universities is undergoing a profound transformation.

In their book, Mapping Frontier Research in the Humanities, the contributors delve into this transformative process, examining the implications for research methodologies and the organization of the humanities and higher education. The volume explores the inter- and extra-academic engagement of humanities researchers, their research styles, and exemplifies their interdisciplinary nature.

The humanities have a significant role in shaping debates about culture and identity, but how have they been impacted by neuroscience? What insights can we gain from studying the humanities about phenomena such as "hypes" and economic "bubbles"? What is their international agenda? By drawing on a range of case studies from the humanities, the contributors offer a republican theory of the humanities, which seeks to understand the divide between classical and "post-academic" modes of research without resorting to simplistic mechanical metrics. Instead, they propose a heuristic appreciation of different types of impact and research styles, providing a more comprehensive picture of research on human culture, language, and history.

This perspective goes beyond the individual rational agent and recognizes the complex landscapes of collective identities, networks, and constraints that shape humanities research. It opens up new possibilities for intellectual leadership in the 21st century, as humanities researchers contribute to understanding the world in increasingly complex and interconnected ways.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 312 x 235 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350074705