Center for Humanities and the Public Sphere - Annual Newsletter 2023-2024
“THE CALLING OF THE HUMANITIES IS TO MAKE US TRULY HUMAN IN THE BEST SENSE OF THE WORD” — J. IRWIN MILLER
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Facilitate and promote the research programs of humanities scholars at the University of Florida
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Offer a place for outreach to the community in which we live and teach
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Provide an intellectual space and a physical location within the university and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for critical and collaborative discussions of the humanities that reach across and beyond individual disciplines
STAFF
Jaime Ahlberg
Director and Rothman Chair (2023-2024)
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Sara Agnelli Associate Director
Rhonda Black Office Manager
Kristina Forman
Communications Manager
Noah Mullens
Program Coordinator, Ph.D. Student, English
Silvia Stoyanova
Assistant Director of Digital Humanities and Undergraduate Learning
Alison Walsh
Program Manager, Ph.D. Student, English
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS
Jaime Ahlberg, Sara Agnelli, Kristina Forman, Noah Mullens
ADVISORY BOARD
Theresa Antes French and Linguistics
M. Elizabeth Ginway Spanish and Portuguese Studies
Seth Bernstein History
Ashley Jones Art + Art History
Arina Pismenny Philosophy
Velvet Yates Classics
Carol Richardson
A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center
GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Talline R. Martines Director of Graduate Professional Development
Eleonora Rossi Linguistics
Jodi Schorb English
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
One year ago, I stepped into the role of Rothman Chair and Director with the desire to open new conversations that build awareness about the humanities, while supporting the center’s core constituents in research, teaching and learning, and the wider public. I am proud to report that this past year, the center took steps to extend its programming in multiple spaces, made two strategic hires, and continued to support high-quality humanities scholarship and community events throughout the year.
The center’s biggest new initiative was instituting the Alexander Grass Scholars Undergraduate Research Program. This innovative program provided a funded, project-based learning experience in humanities research for undergraduates from a range of disciplines and experience levels. A cohort of 20 students was selected through a competitive process to pursue group projects with the center’s partners. This year, projects were curated and led in collaboration with the A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center, the Matheson History Museum, the Harn Museum of Art, and George A. Smathers Libraries. After their group projects, students pursued individual projects under faculty and graduate student mentorship. A fall research symposium will showcase their individual projects to students and faculty across the university as well as the broader community. This program brings together our commitments to undergraduate education in the humanities and to our community partners, and we are thrilled to see how it develops.
The center’s next big programming initiative was to step into the world of the digital humanities: an area of scholarship at the intersection of digital technologies and humanistic methods and questions. With a generous $632,000 strategic funding grant from the UF President’s Office, the center will be building an interactive digital humanities lab to foster multidisciplinary collaborations, offer educational opportunities, and facilitate research. We aim for the lab to enrich humanities research, amplify its impact, and raise awareness of the critical value of humanistic inquiry.
In tandem with these new projects, the center continued to offer funding opportunities and events that support humanities researchers and students, and community engagement. We offered more than $180,000 in funding to faculty, graduate students, and public partners,
which supported events reaching 1,700 audience members from around the globe, region, and campus. We are privileged to be a part of the professional development and many accomplishments of students and faculty across the humanities.
Moving forward, the center is building upon its existing programs while venturing into new initiatives. This evolution is reflected in our staffing changes over the past year. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Associate Director Anirban Gupta-Nigam, as he moved on to a new phase of his professional life with UC Berkeley’s Institute for South Asia Studies. The center is grateful for the broad and creative perspective Anirban brought to humanities programming and research. Sara Agnelli, previously the center’s assistant director of graduate engagement, was promoted to associate director and has been flourishing in her new role. The center has also recently welcomed Kristina Forman in a newly created communications manager position. And in the fall, Silvia Stoyanova will join us as assistant director of digital humanities and undergraduate learning, to oversee our program building in the digital humanities.
I hope you will enjoy perusing this newsletter to learn more about the many funding programs and events that the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere supported this past year. We look forward to another year in which the center continues to support its core constituencies, engage new audiences, and communicate the value of the humanities to our quickly evolving social worlds.
Thank you to our donors, supporters and collaborators who make all that we do possible.
With gratitude,
Jaime Ahlberg Rothman Chair and Director | Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere
Rothman and Tedder Doctoral Fellows Spotlight
The Rothman and Tedder Doctoral Fellowships provide funding for doctoral students to conduct research related to their dissertations. Many of the fellows traveled to study their research subjects on location.
Mosúnmólá Omówùnmí Adéòjó | Nigeria
“The Visual and Archival Narrative of Rev. Canon J.J. Ransome-Kuti”
Adéòjó’s work explores how Africans and people of African heritage have documented their lives, represented themselves, and depicted their agency across various spaces and time periods. Her dissertation specifically focuses on the life of Rev. Canon J.J. Ransome-Kuti, a Nigerian clergyman and music composer, exploring how he was represented and asserted his agency within colonial contexts. Through this historical example, Adéòjó explores the themes of presence and representation that are central to her research.
Neha Kohli | Nicobar Islands
“The Matter of Islands: Negotiating Terrains in Archipelagos of Marginality and Possibility”
Kohli’s work critically examines India’s policy toward the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean. Her research aims to inform a decolonizing development approach that recognizes and valorizes the autonomy of the islands’ Indigenous peoples. In her dissertation, Kohli explores themes of marginality and possibility, focusing on how these island communities navigate and assert their agency within the broader context of state policies and development frameworks. In doing so, Kohli addresses systemic issues of discrimination based on class, caste, race, and gender, and contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable and equitable development in the Global South.
SPOTLIGHT
Synergies Doctoral Students Research Symposium
In April, the center’s Graduate Humanities Research Initiative hosted a daylong symposium showcasing the research of doctoral students across the humanities. This symposium had five presentation sessions where students presented emerging research to an engaged audience of interdisciplinary peers. From transnational histories and historical narratives to navigating the social impacts of changing landscapes, presentations spanned a wide array of subjects and time periods. Between sessions, students enjoyed food, drinks, and an opportunity to network with colleagues and potential collaborators as they developed their dissertations and early careers.
Fellowship Announcements
2024 ROTHMAN FACULTY
SUMMER FELLOWS
Chris Dorst, Philosophy
Physics as a Humanistic Discipline: Why our Best Physical Theories Should be Understood Instrumentally
Richard Kernaghan, Anthropology Rivers in Nomos: Moving Terrains of Law Through the Apaporis-Tabatinga Line
Stacey Liou, Political Science
All Assembled: Protest and the Politics of Interpretation
Carmen Martínez Novo, Anthropology and Center for Latin American Studies Surviving Fascism in the Past and Undoing It in the Present: Family Memory and Private Archives in Spain
Porchia Moore, Art + Art History
The King’s Palace That Burnt; Added Beauty to It: The Benin Bronzes and the Museum
2024-25 TEDDER FAMILY
DOCTORAL FELLOWS
Joseph Angelillo, History
The Lost Promise of Purposeful Inclusion: Movements for Racially Representative Juries During Reconstruction
Sayantika Chakraborty, English
Displacement and Emplacement: Studying Female Climate Refugee Experiences in Contemporary India
2024-25 ROTHMAN
DOCTORAL FELLOWS
Faith Barringer, Art History
French Atlantic Portraiture, Creolization, and the Construction of Race, c. 1715 – 1815
Chris Lause, History
“Treat’em Tough”: The Militarization of the New York Police Department, 1926-1962
Karen Libby, English
Literary Community Building: TwentiethCentury Lesbian Publishing
Daniela Núñez de Álvarez Stransky, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Using Social Network Analysis to Examine Dynamic Changes in Returnees’ Spanish grammar
Mosunmola Ogunmolaji, History
Beyond Borders: The Migration, Labor, and Everyday Lives of Nigerian Nurses in the United Kingdom, 1937-2000
Karen Lorena Romero Leal, Anthropology Embodied Extractivism: How Women in Amazonia Experience and Resist the Extractive Desires of Capitalism in Times of War and Peace in Colombian Amazonia
Danielle Sensabaugh, Art History
Coming of Age in the Era of Enlightenment: Envisioning Girlhood and Feminine Virtue, c. 1750 – 1815
Gerard Spicer, Music
Anthem Diplomacy in Brazil: The New York Philharmonic’s 1958 Latin America Tour
Allison Westerfield, Art History
Queen of Pentacles: Women Surrealists & The Tarot of Pamela Coleman Smith
Long Xiao, Political Science
Securitizing China: Exploring the Construction of Threat Perception in U.S. – China Relations
Alexander Grass Scholars Undergraduate Research Program
This spring, the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere launched the Alexander Grass Scholars Undergraduate Research Program, made possible by the generous support of the Alexander Grass Foundation. The program’s launch event, held on Tuesday, April 16, brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members to explore the research opportunities available and how participants could connect their own interests to the program’s mission of linking humanities research with the broader community.
Alexander Grass (1927-2009) founded the Rite Aid Corporation and graduated from the UF Levin College of Law. Beyond his business success, he is remembered for his generosity as a community philanthropist, and his support of UF and commitment to the humanities. Through this program, the center has involved undergraduate students in its mission to connect humanities research endeavors with the community where we live and teach, making it a proud part of Grass’ legacy.
The inaugural cohort consisted of 20 students, including first-year, second-year, and thirdyear students, whose research interests and backgrounds spanned the humanities and humanistic social sciences, such as history,
political science, linguistics, and philosophy. Over the summer, this cohort participated in a foundational course aimed at introducing humanities research skills, both traditional and digital, through project-based learning and hands-on collaboration with faculty, graduate mentors, and community project leaders. Through these experiences, students not only developed their research capabilities, but also forged meaningful connections within their community, fostering a deeper appreciation for the role of public humanities, and emphasizing the importance of preserving and interpreting cultural heritage.
The program will culminate in a research symposium to showcase students’ individual projects, allowing them the opportunity to present their research findings, share their experiences, and highlight the impact of their projects on the community.
Harn Museum of Art - Beth Hinrichs, Jarom Gordon, Jace Digby, and Rachel Nuyten
Matheson History Museum – Adler Cristello, Fiona Garber, Jehlia Andrews, Tristan Krammel, and Fiorella Recchioni
WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING
“This was a wonderful experience, and it has helped me connect with people and build research skills I didn’t know I would be able to develop this early in my education.”
“Doing real research, especially oral histories, was very impactful. I learned a lot about how research tells a story if you’re open to it, and how important community involvement is in the humanities...Being able to talk to members of communities in Gainesville was the absolute most valuable because it inspired and motivated me.”
“Working with the museum group and seeing the work that collections managers do for the community...highlights how important local history is.”
Above from left to right, A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center – Kevin Artiga, Joni Perkins, Ph.D., Wiley Johannesmeyer, Jayla Harper, Liam Degnan, Sophia Guarnieri, Cecilia Aragon, Terri L. Bailey, Genesis Leonard, and Turbado Marabaou
Right: Harn Museum of Art – Silvestre Hernandez-Reyes, Tamara Leisey, Rachel Nuyten, Jace Digby, Jarom Gordon, and Alanis Gonzalez
Right: Matheson History Museum – left to right, Jehlia Andrews, and Fiorella Recchioni
SPEAKER SERIES: Scales
of Belonging, 2023-24
Each year, the center hosts a speaker series designed to answer fundamental questions about the human experience, exploring the latest research and scholarship across the humanities by inviting renowned scholars to present their work. The most recent series, “Scales of Belonging,” was no exception, engaging scholars and the community alike to address the question: How and where do we belong?
To help answer this question, the center invited three leading scholars in the humanities to delve into diverse topics such as migration, identity, community, and the impact of social and political forces on our lives. The result was a series of talks and events attended by more than 400 students, faculty, staff and community members, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue about the complexities of belonging and connection in today’s world.
The series launched in September 2023 with a compelling lecture by Dipesh Chakrabarty, Lawrence A. Kimpton Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago.
In his talk, “Why A New Philosophical Anthropology?”, Chakrabarty drew from his recent works to propose a rethinking of humanist categories, distinguishing between the globe and the planet. His insights underscored the relevance of philosophical reflections in our current age of environmental and societal challenges.
The series’ second speaker, Leonard N. Moore, George Littlefield Professor of American History at the University of Texas at Austin, offered a deep dive into the racial dynamics of college football with his lecture titled “Name, Image, and Blackness: Race and College Football.” Moore discussed critical issues including the transfer portal, NIL (name, image, and likeness) opportunities, and the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. This topic resonated deeply with university attendees and community members, given the university’s strong athletic traditions shaping its public identity.
The series concluded in March with a visit from Stanford University Professor Emma Shaw Crane. Her workshop on “Research Justice” and lecture on “Race, Detention,
and Indigeneity in South Florida” shed light on the conditions faced by migrant children at the Homestead Temporary Shelter. Crane’s ethnographic approach revealed the interconnectedness of detention camps and suburban landscapes, challenging conventional notions and advocating for justice and collaboration.
“Scales of Belonging” was the latest installment in the center’s ongoing commitment to both academic and local communities through shared human experience. The series exemplified the humanities’ pivotal role in addressing contemporary challenges and fostering a deeper understanding of belonging in our globalized world.
This annual speaker series was co-sponsored by the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere (Rothman Endowment); College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Bob Graham Center for Public Service; Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship; the Rothman Family Chair in the Humanities, Jack Davis; the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning; the African American Studies Program; Departments of Anthropology, History, Political Science, and Geography; Smathers Libraries; UF Research; and the A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center.
Dipesh Chakrabarty
Leonard N. Moore
Emma Shaw Crane
Programs in Public Humanities Grants
Public humanities grants provided through CHPS continue to support collaborative, community-oriented engagements on historical memory, activism, and representation.
“Sharing Caribbean Experiences and Perspectives in Panama,” was a free public program hosted by John Nemmers and Betsy Bemis of the UF Panama Canal Museum Collection. Co-sponsored by SAMAAP (Sociedad de Amigos del Museo Afroantillano de Panamá), the event featured a screening of the documentary “Overcoming Barriers” by SAMAAP, focusing on oral histories of former Panama Canal employees. Nemmers and Bemis presented on oral histories, and curated a traveling exhibit on Caribbean history
and culture related to the Panama Canal to an audience of 117 community members. Audience engagement included discussions led by community leaders, and oral history participants, fostering a rich exchange of perspectives and historical insights.
Hosted by Alana Jackson, with the UF Center for Arts in Medicine, “Arts for Health Awareness: Recovery in Community,” was a multi-faceted program aimed at tackling public health issues effectively and sustainably. The program convened historically marginalized communities, artists, students, and mental health advocates in an exploration of resilience and connection through the arts. This inclusive event featured theatrical
productions, workshops in storytelling and dance, and panels on mental health. Partnerships with local departments and the Art Prevails Project facilitated broader community engagement, while the presence of mental health organizations underscored a commitment to holistic well-being. Attendees praised the program for its impactful portrayal of diverse lived experiences, and its role in nurturing community solidarity.
“Students we worked with through workshops and in classrooms were able to engage in new ways with the content, with the arts, and with the broader community, in ways that gave them new tools for creativity and support for their own life outlook and mental wellbeing.”
— Alana Jackson
Embracing Interconnectedness: The Role of Humanities in a Globalized World
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” — Nelson Mandela
“Ubuntu” is a term from the Nguni Bantu language, spoken by the Nguni people in southern Africa. It embodies the concept that “we, as humans, are bound together in ways we cannot see.” Another way to express this idea is, “I am what I am because of who we all are.”
In an interconnected world, understanding this interconnectedness can help better grasp its complexity. Danish artist and climate activist, Olafur Eliasson, highlights that interconnectedness is one of the great powers of the arts as it reaches people, touches them, and fosters empathy and compassion. Beyond the arts, interconnectedness is also a core concept in the humanities.
The humanities illuminate the interconnectedness of human experiences, values, and aspirations; the connections between the past, present, and future; and the relationship between the microcosm and the macrocosm. They provide the perfect framework for understanding and embracing human-to-human, human-tonature, and human-to-AI interconnectivity.
During the summer semester, Sara Agnelli, the center’s associate director, taught a humanities course for the “UF in Rome” international program. This program helps students broaden their understanding and appreciation of global perspectives, encourages an open-minded approach to diverse viewpoints, and fosters a deeper connection to the world beyond their own.
Embracing interconnectedness through the humanities not only enriches individual perspectives but also lays the foundation for a more empathetic and united global community. This understanding is crucial as society navigates the complexities of the modern world and strives for a sustainable and inclusive future. Learning about interconnectedness through the humanities will be key to humanity’s survival in the 21st century.
Above from the left: “When in Rome” course – UF in Rome Jonathan Polanco, Noah Fara, Joseph Matos, Sara Agnelli, Nik Solano, Tucker McCann, Grace Ghinea, Melinda Linsky, and Tori Ragin
“The newfound perspectives gathered have shifted my thinking immensely and broadened how I viewed the world. Before embarking on the study abroad journey, one of my goals was to immerse myself in the culture as much as possible. Speaking Italian whenever I went to restaurants or met new Italians was one of the best ways to practice this...Seeing someone come to life and become more animated when speaking in their native tongue was something I will never take for granted. Through learning a new language, one can learn how to express new emotions in a new way and listen to the stories of those around them. Becoming a better speaker of the language allows one to become a better listener. There are many lessons learned during the six weeks here, but the thing I will remember most is the way I felt when seeing people speak in their native tongue.”
— Tori Ragin, 2024, UF in Rome
to right: Sayantika Chakraborty, Ph.D. student (English) and Jaime Ahlberg; Rhonda Black and Jaime Ahlberg; Julia Mollenthiel (African American Studies), Sara Agnelli, and Erin Prophet (Religion)
Humanities Engagement Scholars
The Humanities Engagement Scholars program empowers undergraduates through the humanities and prepares them for future professional endeavors. By cultivating a broad perspective and engagement across the university and beyond, HES enriches students’ academic journeys and inspires aspirations for a promising future.
HES kicked off the 2023-2024 academic year with a successful Spooky Humanities Open House. Students enjoyed engaging talks by professors on a diverse array of topics and courses offered by humanities departments.
Additionally, HES students had the opportunity to participate in a book club on “Teaching Black History to White People,” by Leonard N. Moore. Through close reading, developing discussion questions, and relating the texts to their own experiences, students engaged with Moore on both academic and personal levels through a lunch meeting before his public lecture as a part of the center’s 20232024 speaker series, “Scales of Belonging.”
HES also supported undergraduate research events such as “Tea Talks: Spilling the Tea on Research in the Humanities,” where
students from various majors presented their research to peers. The program also facilitates access to internships and local events. For example, HES student Em Petlev completed an internship with the Invisible Histories Project that captured the experiences of minority community members in Florida. At the end of the spring semester, the center celebrated the accomplishments of three graduating HES students: Gavin Angove, Kayla Conde, and Hafsa Ouaakki.
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“The writing retreat organized by the UF Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere was the absolute highlight of my academic year! It fostered academic productivity and promoted new collaborations among colleagues who otherwise have rare time to talk about their research...I am eagerly waiting for the next year’s one.”
— Eleonora Rossi, Ph.D., Linguistics
Main image: Theresa Antes (Languages, Literatures, and Cultures), Sandy Chang (History), and Fernanda Bretones Lane (History). Near right: David Grant (Philosophy) and Leonard Cassuto. Far right: Rachel Carrico (School of Theatre & Dance)
Humanities Writing Retreat
In May, the center hosted its annual Humanities Writing Retreat and Graduate Summer Institute, continuing its tradition of expanding opportunities for writing and career development across all stages of academia.
Held at the picturesque UF Austin Cary Forest Campus, this retreat invited humanities scholars across all disciplines, along with colleagues from other colleges at the University of Florida, to participate in a week of productivity and inspiration through dedicated writing sessions. Over 50 participants, including students and faculty, convened to focus on various projects, from book proposals and articles to book reviews and grant applications.
In addition to promoting scholarship in the humanities, the retreat emphasized the importance of personal wellness and a warm, collaborative atmosphere. Participants enjoyed fortifying lunches, rejuvenating yoga sessions, dedicated writing time and opportunities for networking and mentorship among peers. These elements helped create a space for academic breakthroughs and valuable partnerships among colleagues.
As a highlight of the retreat, Leonard Cassuto, professor of English at Fordham University and a graduate school columnist for The Chronicle of Higher Education, delivered a thought-provoking public lecture titled “Academic Writing as if Readers Matter.” The day concluded with a lovely reception, providing attendees with a chance to mingle and reflect on their work in a relaxed setting.
Graduate Humanities Institute
The center hosted its second Graduate Humanities Summer Institute alongside its writing retreat at the UF Austin Cary Forest Campus. The institute was established as part of the center’s ongoing commitment to honing academic and professional versatility among graduate students in the humanities. Honoring this commitment, 11 doctoral students from various disciplines were invited to partake in a week of workshops, writing sessions, and small group discussions centered around this year’s theme: learning how to communicate the value of their humanities research within and beyond academia.
Throughout the week, participants were asked to address the fundamental question: “What is the value of humanities research and why?” To answer this, the cohort engaged in exercises designed to enhance their advocacy and communication skills, including developing presentations for the UF Three Minute Thesis (3MT®). 3MT® is a research communication competition designed to help students enhance their presentation skills and communicate their research to a non-academic audience. At the end of the week, participants delivered a three-minute research pitch and received feedback from peers and keynote speaker, Leonard Cassuto. As a result, each student gained a deeper awareness and understanding of graduate research’s significance in the humanities.
Above from left to
Edelweiss Murillo Lafuente (Sociology), Sayantika Chakraborty (English), Jain Choi (Political Science), Dinalo Chakma (English), Anthony Farace (Anthropology), Lorena Romero (Anthropology), Marcus Davis (Philosophy), Anthony Smith (Classics), Judy Colindres (English), Noah Mullens (English), and Sara Agnelli (CHPS)
“The exercises and activities prepared by the Summer Institute helped me better understand my own research. I left with a set of skills and broader perspective than I came up with. I highly recommend the program to anyone even mildly interested.”
— Marcus Davis, Philosophy
“The Graduate Humanities Summer Institute helped me gain skills in communicating my own research to those outside of my field and the general public. Writing sessions, focused on adapting project descriptions into plain language and emphasizing the broader impact of my research, led to a better understanding of the importance of basing research on larger human questions. The most beneficial component was the constant peer review and expert feedback from faculty and our keynote speaker, Len Cassuto.”
— Tony Farace, Anthropology
“The Graduate Humanities Institute has fostered an incredible learning environment and sharing space for emerging scholars. It has gifted me the courage to speak about my research in public, which was a daunting task for me previously, and has helped me connect with peers and mentors who have been absolutely motivating and caring. I am looking forward to participating in 3MT competition this Fall because of the mentorship and training I received at the Institute.”
— Dinalo Chakma, English
right:
Leonard Cassuto
Leonard Cassuto, renowned scholar and author of “Academic Writing as if Readers Matter,” delivered a lecture themed after his book at this year’s writing retreat and the Graduate Humanities Summer Institute. Drawing on material from his book, Cassuto explored the fundamental principles of writing that prioritize readability and reader engagement. He emphasized the importance of making academic work accessible and compelling to a diverse audience, highlighting techniques to sharpen arguments and clarify complex ideas.
On the first day, Cassuto gave a public lecture in which he offered tips on building and presenting finely tuned arguments in academic and research-based writing. He spoke of the importance of storytelling and making a connection with the reader in order to make complex ideas more understandable.
The second day featured a workshop where students received individual advice on how to present their research to non-experts. Students prepared their presentations and received immediate feedback from a mock committee that included Cassuto. After two hours of intense preparation, each participant received Cassuto’s one-on-one support and valuable advice.
Throughout his engagements, Cassuto underscored the power of storytelling and metaphor in enhancing the appeal of scholarly prose and cautioned against the misuse of jargon, which can alienate readers. He provided examples of effective communication in academia, highlighting how humanities researchers can ensure that their work connects with those interested in engaging with their research.
Graduate Grant Writing Series
Last fall, the center organized a six-part workshop series designed to aid graduate students in grant writing within the humanities and humanistic social sciences. The workshops provided invaluable guidance and practical skills for graduate students.
Over the course of six weeks, participants engaged in comprehensive sessions that covered:
• The basics of the grant-writing process, including finding a mentor and conceptualizing their projects;
• Tailoring applications for specific submissions; and,
• Detailed exploration of various grant funding bodies.
Students received in-depth instruction on preparing proposals, with focus areas including budget preparation, facilities and environment descriptions, approach strategies, and preparation of biographical sketches.
The series also included guidance on the application and review process. Participants were given timelines and support for requesting recommendation letters, enhancing their overall proposal packages.
A highlight of the series was the mock panel evaluation, where participants’ proposals were reviewed in a simulated grant review process. This provided critical feedback and realistic insights into the evaluation process.
Upon successful completion, participants received $300 in professional development funds, which they could use for travel, books, and other academic needs.
Feedback from the 15 selected participants was overwhelmingly positive. They appreciated the detailed and structured approach of the workshops and the practical advice and support provided throughout the series. By its conclusion, the series was a resounding success, equipping graduate students with the tools and confidence needed to pursue grant funding opportunities.
Right to left: Eleonora Rossi (Linguistics), Anthony Farace (Anthropology), Francis Semwaza (Anthropology), and Joshua Perlin (Psychology)
Institute for Learning in Retirement at Oak Hammock
Since 2021, the center has offered an annual summer course for the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Oak Hammock. Aimed at bringing humanities scholarship into the community, these courses demonstrate how depth of knowledge enlightens conversations. This year’s theme “Emerging Research in the Humanities,” highlighted the innovative research being conducted by Rothman Doctoral and Faculty Fellows. Presentations spanned a diverse array of topics including women’s activism, jury construction, gender roles in Latin American democracy, and representations of Africans in the early 20th century.
The series kicked off in July with a presentation by I. Edelweiss Murillo Lafuente, a doctoral student in sociology whose work centered around the intersection of disability, gender, and activism in the Global South. Her talk focused on the efforts of Las FemiDiskas, an anti-ableist feminist collective formed by women with disabilities and their allies in Bolivia. Lafuente’s ethnographic participatory research highlighted how this grassroots organization employed virtual engagement strategies to combat ableist and sexist violence in both private and public spaces, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joseph Angelillo, a doctoral student in history, continued the series by discussing his research on the origins and evolution of racially representative juries during Reconstruction. His work explored the complexities of jury construction and provided a nuanced understanding of historical and contemporary issues of racial representation in the judicial system.
The third speaker of the series, Juliana Sanin, delivered a presentation addressing relationships between gender roles, political violence, and democratic processes in Latin America. Sanin, an assistant professor of political science, underscored the crucial role of women in shaping political landscapes and resisting violence. Alyssa Cole, an assistant professor of African American studies, continued this focus on women’s political empowerment through her research on Black women’s medical activism in early 20th-century Kansas City. Cole’s work showcased the significant contributions of Black women in advocating for medical reforms and addressing health disparities.
The series concluded with a presentation by Mosúnmólá Omówùnmí Adéòjó, a doctoral student in English, whose research focused on the representation of Africans at the 1922 Church Missionary Society Exhibition. Adéòjó’s work explored the fluidity of racial identities and performance, providing a fitting thematic conclusion to the series by bridging past and present through a critical analysis of racial narratives and their lasting impact.
By drawing connections between past scholarship and emerging research, the series demonstrated how humanities scholarship can inform our perspectives on current social challenges and offer valuable insights for navigating real-world complexities, underscoring their enduring relevance.
I. Edelweiss Murtillo Lafuente speaks to Oak Hammock residents on her work focusing on the intersection of disability, gender and activism in the Global South.
Publication Subventions
The center continued to support humanities book publications, thanks to the Robert and Margaret Rothman Endowment for the Humanities, and in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This generosity has helped advance scholarly research and dissemination in the humanities, enriching cultural and historical perspectives one book at a time.
Rachel Carrico, Assistant Professor, Theatre + Dance
In her book, “Dancing the Politics of Pleasure at the New Orleans Second Line,” Carrico explores the cultural and political significance of Second Line parades in New Orleans. She analyzes the movements of second liners, demonstrating how their dance serves as a means of negotiating power, reclaiming self and communal identities, and linking joy with liberation. By blending analytical insight with the voices of the Black community, Carrico’s work reveals the profound connection between pleasure, play, and dissent in these vibrant public processions.
Max Deardorff, Assistant Professor, History
Deardorff delves into the complex political landscape of 1570’s New Kingdom of Granada (modern Colombia) in his book, “A Tale of Two Granadas: Custom, Community, and Citizenship in the Spanish Empire, 1568-1668.” During this period, mestizo men (people of mixed Indigenous and Spanish heritage) aspired to gain power in the colony’s major cities, sparking fierce opposition from Spanish nativist factions who viewed them as unequal and unqualified. Deardorff examines the transformative political ideas about subjecthood that eventually enabled some colonial mestizos and acculturated natives to achieve urban citizenship alongside Spaniards. By comparing these events with the experiences of Spain’s last Muslims, who also sought to use new conceptions of citizenship to combat growing prejudice, he illuminates the broader, transAtlantic shifts in political thought that shaped colonial society.
THE
SUBVENTION PROGRAM IS INSTRUMENTAL IN SUPPORTING QUALITY BOOK PUBLICATIONS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES FOR HUMANITIES SCHOLARS AT UF.
Margaret Galvan, Assistant Professor, English “In Visible Archives” by Galvan is an exploration the intersection of visual culture and feminist activism. The book focuses on how 1980s visual culture provided crucial spaces for women artists to theorize and depict their own bodies and sexualities. By examining key feminist and cultural moments such as the feminist sex wars, the HIV/AIDS crisis, the women in print movement, and countercultural grassroots periodical networks, Galvan illustrates how visual culture interacted with these pivotal times. The artworks in this book showcase how women articulated their identities and sexualities, providing blueprints for future activism and advocacy — especially relevant in the face of current challenges to LGBTQ+ and women’s rights.
Sharon Austin, Professor, African American Studies and Political Science
Austin leads the exploration of Black women’s experiences as mayors in American cities in “Political Black Girl Magic: The Elections and Governance of Black Female Mayors.” This interdisciplinary volume, edited by Austin and contributors, delves into the campaigns, elections, and governance of Black female mayors, where race and gender dynamics play pivotal roles. It examines how these mayors navigate political landscapes, from pursuing economic growth and enacting reforms to addressing challenges that hinder their ability to serve marginalized communities. Case studies span cities such as Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Compton, and Washington, D.C., providing historical and contemporary insights into the intersectional challenges faced by Black women leaders in urban governance.
Thanks to the generosity of endowments and donor support, the center is proud to offer a co-sponsorship program for humanities events. These events, including conferences, speaker series, classroom visits, and workshops, are organized collaboratively by faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and community members. This program embodies the center’s missions of fostering intellectual exploration, interdisciplinary dialogues and community engagement.
Art of Unity Showcase
The Art of Unity Showcase, held in February, exemplified the center’s commitment to fostering community through the arts. With 121 attendees, the event commenced with an art gallery showcasing local Gainesville artists and facilitated networking with art organizations through sponsor tables. Attendees enjoyed a communal meal and interactive photo stations, creating lasting memories. The evening featured 15 diverse performances, including live art-painting, saxophone solos, and spoken word, all hosted by Tesnie Louissaint and Jose Carlos Lopez-de Cespedes. Interludes included a dance competition, a panel discussion with local arts organizations, and a crowd fashion show, highlighting themes of growth and unity. The event successfully united the Gainesville and UF communities, celebrating artistic diversity and collaboration.
SLIICK GARDEN Youth Program
The center was also proud to offer support to the SLIICK GARDEN Youth program. Through this support, the program was able to engage 20 enthusiastic volunteers dedicated to fostering sustainable gardening practices and community-wide environmental stewardship. Following its launch, SLIICK GARDEN has yielded abundant, nutritious produce, promoted healthier eating habits, and all while providing educational opportunities in sustainable agriculture and organic gardening techniques. The garden itself has become a hub for social cohesion, bridging generations, and enhancing community connections.
STRENGTH in NUMBERS
$180,000 awarded through grants, fellowships, co-sponsorships and programming
1,700 people reached through organized, co-sponsored and supported events
20 undergraduates received research funding through the Alexander Grass Scholars Undergraduate Research Program 113 graduate students supported through funding, mentoring and programming
21 faculty supported through publication subventions, internal grants and fellowships
$632,000 awarded to create a digital humanities lab as part of the UF strategic funding initiative
ON THE HORIZON
SPEAKER SERIES
Page Unbound: Humanities in the Digital Age
As a part of the center’s new Digital Humanities Initiative, the 2025 Speaker Series will open conversations about reimagining humanistic inquiry in response to emerging computing technologies. In the spring, the center will welcome three distinguished speakers to lead public lectures and host workshops for faculty and students interested in the digital evolution of the humanities: Alexander Gil Fuentes (Yale, Department of Spanish and Portuguese), Marisa Parham (University of Maryland at College Park, Department of English) and Lyneise Williams (University of North Carolina, Art & Art History).Department of Spanish and Portuguese), Marisa Parham (University of Maryland at College Park, Department of English) and Lyneise Williams (University of North Carolina, Art & Art History).
WE WELCOME NEW STAFF MEMBERS
Silvia Stoyanova, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Digital Humanities and Undergraduate Learning
Stoyanova joins the center in fall 2024 to help lead new initiatives in the digital humanities, including building a new digital humanities lab and creating programming and curricula designed to support digital humanities scholarship. Stoyanova joins UF from the University of Iowa, where she was visiting assistant professor in the Department of French and Italian. Before her time there, Stoyanova founded the Digital Humanities Working Group at the University of Arizona; developed courses on digital humanities perspectives at Rutgers University; developed a digital edition and research platform as visiting researcher at the Austrian Center for the Digital Humanities, and University of Macerata; served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Trier Center for Digital Humanities; and participated in a digital humanities initiative at Princeton University. We are fortunate to benefit from Stoyanova’s extensive experience in program-building and look forward to working with her to strengthen the digital humanities at UF.
From top, clockwise: Alexander Gil Fuentes; Marisa Parham; Lyneise Williams
Kristina Forman, Communications Manager
Kristina Forman joined the center in May 2024 to lead its strategic communication efforts, aiming to enhance its visibility and engagement and promote the humanities across diverse audiences. Forman comes to the center from her previous home at the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute, where she served as a marketing and communications specialist over the last four years. During her time there, she worked to promote the CTSI’s comprehensive resources to clinical researchers across UF and beyond with the goal of helping translate research from clinical trials into real-world impact. Through an integrated skillset of strategic storytelling and design, Forman helped raise awareness and enhance the reputation of the CTSI on a state-wide and national scale. Before her role at UF CTSI, Forman played a key role in planning and executing communication strategies in various roles across academia and industry. With her extensive professional experience and an educational background in the humanities, we look forward to her contributions in strengthening our outreach and engagement at the center.
EVENT PREVIEW
Alexander Grass Scholars Undergraduate Research Symposium
This fall, the center will host an inaugural symposium designed to showcase the individual research projects of its first cohort of Alexander Grass Scholars.
Free to Move? Im/mobilities in Europe
Esther Romeyn, Center for European Studies
Critical Conversations in the Humanities: The War in Israel/Palestine
Malini Schueller, English; Sharon Austin, Political Science; and Fiona McLaughlin, Linguistics
Recover through the Arts
Osubi Craig, Center for Arts, Migration and Entrepreneurship
The Dream and Its Interpretation: 125 Years from Sigmund Freud’s “The Interpretation of Dreams”
Pietro Bianchi, English
Black Beauties and Silver Springs: A Paradise Park Memory Project
Porchia Moore, Art + Art History
The Political Economy Cooperatives of Women of Color in the African Diaspora
Sharon Austin, Political Science
Greetings from Florida — Postcards from Paradise: Panel Discussion and World Premiere Concert
Scott Lee, College of the Arts
Pedro Figari — Flows and Shades of Modernism
Eric Segal, Harn Museum of Art
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE HUMANITIES CENTER CALENDAR FOR THE FOLLOWING SPONSORED EVENTS TO BE HELD DURING THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR.
For an up-to-date list of events and event details, visit:
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR WORK
THE CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES AND THE PUBLIC SPHERE THANKS ITS FRIENDS AND DONORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS GIFTS THAT SUPPORT OUR WORK ON A DAILY BASIS:
Margaret and Robert Rothman
Susan and Warren Tedder
Elizabeth Weese
David Yulee
Jerome A. Yavitz
The Hon. J.D. Smith Jr. and Flo C. Smith
Dr. Jeanne Street and Cliff Dopson
Richard F. and Cheryl T. Roberts
IN THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR, PRIVATE SUPPORT ENABLED US TO OFFER EIGHT INTERNAL FUNDING COMPETITIONS AND GIVE 51 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS TO FACULTY, STUDENTS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
Alexander Grass Scholars Undergraduate Research Program
The Rothman Faculty Summer Fellowship
The Rothman Doctoral Fellowship
The Tedder Family Doctoral Fellowship
Library Enhancement
Program in the Humanities
Support for Workshops and Speaker Series in the Humanities
Programs in the Public Humanities
Summer Residency for PhD Students at the National Humanities Center
Publication Subvention
THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES AND THE PUBLIC SPHERE, OUR PROGRAMMING, AND OUR ABILITY TO MAKE FUTURE AWARDS DEPENDS ON SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS LIKE YOU.
For more information on highlighted funds and how you can make an impact, please visit humanities.ufl.edu/support-us.
Contribution by check can be made to the Center at any time. Simply send your check made payable to “UF Foundation” with “Center for Humanities” referenced in the memo to UF CLAS Development, PO Box 117300, Gainesville, FL 32611.
Should you have questions on the various ways you can make a gift including pledges, matching gifts, and a variety of planned giving opportunities, please visit advancement.clas.ufl.edu or call 352-294-1971.
The University of Florida Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization; therefore, your gift may be eligible for a charitable income tax deduction.
