The scientific objectives of the Institute for Humanities and 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 INSHS 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 INSHS's units is to understand this full set of elements.
The INSHS 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 INSHS 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 INSHS has prioritized the internationalization of its scientific communities' research as have the other nine CNRS institutes. 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 INSHS has created several International Research Laboratories (IRLs). With the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the INSHS 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).
The INSHS works in harmony with the approach involving exchanges and cross-disciplinary research defined by the CNRS's Mission for Transversal and Interdisciplinary Initiatives (MITI).
For example, the Institute works on joint research projects on the brain, cognition and behaviour with the Institute of Biological Sciences (INSB). The INSHS also runs projects with the Institute of Ecology and Environment (INEE) which study the relationships between human beings and their environments involving research units that are steered or jointly steered by the Institute. It also encourages its researchers to interact with the fields of computer and engineering sciences.
Access to digital data is both an asset and a challenge for the INSHS because it promotes interdisciplinarity. Research Infrastructures (IRs) specializing in the humanities and social sciences make the best use of these massive data flows.
This is particularly the case of two Very Large-Scale Research Infrastructures (TGIRs) whose national roll-out is actively supported by the INSHS:
They work in conjunction with the National Network of Houses of Human Sciences (RNMSH)which brings together and coordinates the research of 23 establishments in France. Today, the RNMSH has become the prime meeting place for partnerships and exchanges between universities, organizations and local authorities.
The INSHS 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, novembre 2021
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 the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences.
Nine of the CoNRS's sections are steered by the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences.
Section 26 - Brain, cognition, behaviour – is steered by the Institute of Biological Sciences with a secondary administrative link to the INSHS.
Section 31 - Humankinds and environments: evolution, interactions - is steered by the Institute of Ecology and Environment. Some of the units in this section are part of the INSHS.
The Scientific Council of the INSHS
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)
