Encouraging international research
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 Institute's commitment to interdisciplinarity at the CNRS
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.
The CNRS MITI
Support for IR and TGIR
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:
- Progedo which aims to speed up the production and management of data in universities;
- Huma-Num ("Humanités numériques", Digital Humanities) which offers collective data storage, processing interoperability and dissemination services.
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.