Kahn Programming

Every year, the Kahn sponsors long- and short-term projects and related events, which are proposed, planned, and organized by Smith faculty and staff. Each project explores a specific theme that is broad enough to generate a variety of disciplinary interests and yet focused enough to stimulate meaningful investigation and discussions. Fellows in yearlong or semester-long projects that meet weekly receive research grants.

Current & Upcoming Projects

Long-Term

Humor

Taking humor seriously, this seminar seeks a multi-disciplinary team to unpack humor’s causes, effects, uses, and abuses.

Three different laughing emojis

Short-Term

Initiatives

Interested in these new initiatives or have other suggestions? Email smourad@smith.edu. 

In-Progress

Held monthly on a Friday between 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Each meeting features a discussion (not a lecture!) around a work-in-progress by a colleague, be it a major publication, research project, or creative project. The colleague circulates in advance of the meeting a description of the project or a draft of a chapter, and interested colleagues read it and come to discuss it and offer constructive feedback. The goal is to create a supportive space for feedback intended to strengthen the project, identify areas for revision, and help develop a clearer path toward completion.

In-Ception

In-Ception is a call to small groups of faculty members and staff interested in jointly developing a research project or grant, starting small scholarly conversations, meeting together to do some writing, or reading a book and discussing it. We are not expecting developed or mature programs. The idea is very simple: a group of colleagues (6 to 12 people) meet at the Kahn to pursue a shared interest. They decide the topic, time and frequency, taking into consideration space availability at the Kahn. What outcome it might lead to is left to them to determine. The Kahn can accommodate several groups each year, and aside from the space, we offer light refreshments including cookies, coffee, and tea. We are also open to other possible forms of support.

Research Celebrations

In collaboration with the associate dean of the faculty/dean of academic development, Research Celebrations is an opportunity to partner with departments and programs in facilitating events across the academic year to celebrate newly released works by our faculty. Each event will be dedicated to one faculty member, and the Kahn will partner with departments and programs to assist with organization, publicity, and light refreshments.

Past Projects