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Bridging the Humanities: Strategies for Innovative Teaching and Community Impact

NHC Graduate Student Summer Residency Program
July 20–24, 2026 at the National Humanities Center

Since 2015, the National Humanities Center (NHC) has offered graduate students in humanities doctoral programs an opportunity to learn about and experience best practices in teaching and learning.

Each year, a cohort of students working in small teams creates instructional materials and materials ready for the job market. Focusing on translating research into practice, students are given guidance on how to create meaningful learning experiences for any level of audience in sessions led by prominent scholars, master educators, and technology experts. Most importantly, the design of the residency requires direct and collegial work among students from different universities and disciplines, creating opportunities to engage with a much broader network of humanities professionals.

Program Overview

The 2026 Graduate Student Summer Residency Program is a five-day professional development experience designed to engage emerging humanities scholars in meaningful discussions and hands-on activities that bridge content, pedagogy, and institutional impact. Participants will explore innovative scholarship, effective teaching strategies, and project-management competencies that strengthen humanities research and education within academic settings.

With support from lead scholars and facilitators, participants from across the country will collaborate to design an interdisciplinary course or project initiative that forges connections across diverse areas of study. The program also supports the development of instructional techniques and career-building strategies, preparing graduate students for successful contributions to their institutions as well as for career paths within and beyond academia.