The scientific objectives of the CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences are to study and understand societies and human beings by developing theories, methods and tools in the units it steers alone or jointly. In partnership with universities and major research and higher education institutions, the CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences favours the emergence of new research themes, multidisciplinarity within the human and social sciences and interdisciplinary links with other sciences. Finally, it promotes the internationalization of French humanities and social sciences.
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.
The CNRS humanities & social Sciences works in a complementary manner to its partners within joint research units. Currently, it particularly provides support for area studies, comparative approaches, global studies and transnationalization. From a methodological standpoint, this work focuses on formalization, quantification, modelling and simulation, digital humanities and gender studies. It also assists in the development of thematic research in the fields of education, health, human security and the relationship between artificial intelligence and the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). The CNRS humanities & social Sciences plays a specific role in France in the development of archaeological sciences, anthropology and classical studies with constant thought and study aimed at making sure its priorities evolve and remain up-to-date.
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).
CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences applies CNRS research policy at its own level. Its work is based on the various operational structures jointly created and led by the CNRS and its partners - joint research units (UMRs), joint service units (UMSs), service and research units (USRs), research federations (FRs), research networks (GDRs), service groups (GDSs). With the National Network of Houses of Human Sciences, the Institute jointly supports 22 of the network's Houses.
Source : Zento Instituts, November 2024
The Institute's field of knowledge is divided into disciplines or groups of disciplines corresponding to the National Committee for Scientific Research's 40 sections.
The National Committee for Scientific Research (CoNRS) is a collective body made up of over 1000 national and international experts which plays an essential role in French scientific life. Independence, competence, representativeness, long-term sustainability, collegiality and transparency are the CoNRS's shared values, the aim of which is to guarantee the relevance and consistency of the Committee's assessments. The scope and keywords of the research sections are discussed and updated if necessary when each four-year mandate begins.
These sections evaluate the work of researchers and research units. They analyze the current situation in science and its prospects for development at the CNRS in France and other countries. It also organizes and staffs recruitment panels for new researchers.
All researchers and laboratories are therefore classified as belonging to one of these sections.
Nine of these sections are steered by CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences.
Nine of the CoNRS's sections are steered by CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences.
Section 26 - Brain, cognition, behaviour – is steered by the Institute of Biological Sciences with a secondary administrative link to CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences.
Section 31 - Humankinds and environments: evolution, interactions - is steered by the Institute of CNRS Ecology and Environment. Some of the units in this section are part of CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences.
The Institute Scientific Council advises and assists the director of the Institute by providing its opinions and recommendations on the relevance and appropriateness of the Institute's projects and activities. Working groups may be set up to help the Institute Scientific Council carry out its tasks.
This Institute Scientific Council is informed of the Institute's positions regarding the creation and abolition of units along with all the sections' opinions thereon. It is consulted on any points of divergence between the sections' views and the Institute's positions as discussed at a meeting between the director of the Institute, the chairman of the Institute Scientific Council and the chairmen of the sectionsconcerned by any such difference of opinion.
The Institute Scientific Council is also consulted on the appointment of members of panels which deliberate on the selection of research fellows.
The Institute Scientific Council is responsible for writing prospective reports based particularly on the Situation and Outlook reports drawn up by the CNRS's sections and Interdisciplinary Commissions.
Institute Scientific Council (ISC)
