Describing, analyzing and understanding humans in society
Throughout their history, human beings have created languages, languages and signs. They have invented forms of expression and representation, nurtured and transmitted cultures and developed knowledge and theories. They have also been willingly involved in complex political, social, legal and economic organizations. They have explored, occupied and managed the Earth which has often led to conflict with significant consequences for other species and the planet's resources. The aim of the research carried out by the CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences's units is to understand this full set of elements.
CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences integrates CNRS policy into its research fields. The Institute works in partnership with universities and major research organisations to promote multidisciplinarity throughout the humanities and social sciences and interdisciplinarity with other sciences. It leads networks that organise research at site and national levels by leading multidisciplinary thematic networks, research groups, scientific interest groups and research federations. The Institute also works on the internationalisation of French humanities and social sciences.
Encouraging international research
The CNRS humanities & social Sciences has prioritized the internationalization of its scientific communities' research as have the other nine scientific directions. It implements this policy through a variety of initiatives and projects. In particular, the Institute encourages its staff to interact with scientific communities in countries with a long tradition of research as well as in scientifically emerging countries.
To achieve this, the CNRS humanities & social Sciences has created several International Research Laboratories (IRLs). With the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the CNRS humanities & social Sciences jointly steers an exceptional network of International Research Laboratories (Umifre). The Institute also provides financial support for the international mobility of many researchers. It encourages their participation in International Emerging Actions (IEAs), International Research Networks (IRNs) and International Research Projects (IRPs).