About
Promoting Intellectual Discovery and Human Flourishing
Rooted in the classical liberal tradition, IHS is a non-profit organization that supports the achievement of a free society by connecting and supporting graduate students, scholars, and intellectuals who are driving human progress in critical conversations shaping the 21st century.
About IHS
Promoting Intellectual Discovery and Human Flourishing
Rooted in the classical liberal tradition, IHS is a non-profit organization that supports the achievement of a free society by connecting and supporting graduate students, scholars, and intellectuals who are driving human progress in critical conversations shaping the 21st century.
Advancing the Ideas of the Good Society
We believe that ideas within the classical liberal tradition serve as the foundation for the good society — an intellectually open, tolerant, and pluralistic society — in which individuals and communities thrive in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect. For those ideas to take root, it is essential they are taught, explored, challenged, and developed in higher education.
Growing and Connecting a Community of Scholars Through:
01.
Diverse Scholarly Discourse
We connect a diverse community of scholars and public intellectuals across the ideological spectrum who share our passion for the liberal intellectual tradition within the academy and in the broader world.
02.
Funding for Your Future
We support scholars with a variety of flexible research grants, fellowships, and logistical support opportunities. Our funding resources help scholars to publish research and thrive throughout their academic careers.
03.
Exploring and Challenging Ideas
We offer an integrated suite of programs and events, working with scholars who are driving progress in the academic forum and public conversations most relevant to liberal democratic societies.
04.
Fostering Collaboration
We help facilitate peer-to-peer connections, creating a broad academic network and opportunities for scholarly collaboration through convenings and events.
Explore Principles and Initiatives
Classical liberal thought includes diverse viewpoints and the exchange of ideas about the nature of society, the individual, and the relationship between the two. We focus on enduring principles that underlie free and open societies and contemporary challenges where fresh thinking and civil discourse is needed most urgently. Become familiar with these principles and key initiatives.
About the Institute for Humane Studies
The Institute for Humane Studies was founded in 1961 by Dr. F. A. “Baldy” Harper, a former economics professor at Cornell University. Part of a generation that lived through two devastating world wars and saw the rise of totalitarian dictatorships, Harper set up an institute devoted to research and education with the conviction that a greater understanding of human affairs and freedom would foster peace, prosperity, and social harmony.
Based for many years in Menlo Park, California, IHS moved to Fairfax, Virginia, in 1985 and affiliated with George Mason University (GMU). IHS is proud to be part of the community at GMU, which has built a culture that values intellectual diversity and freedom of thought and expression.
The Institute for Humane Studies is an educational organization described in sections 501(c)(3) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue.
The team at IHS is united by our mission and by a culture dedicated to lifelong learning and responsible action. Our values drive the personal and professional fulfillment of all team members and guide our daily decisions and efforts.
We Are Curious.
We value ideas and cherish the intellect. We strive for learning and growth and look to multiple sources. We value opposing views and welcome both challenges and challengers alike.
We Are Accountable.
We commit to results and measure them. We are solutions-oriented. We learn from failure, celebrate success, and take ownership of both.
We Are Responsible.
We insist on personal integrity and open, honest communication within IHS and between IHS and outside organizations.
We Are Enterprising.
We have a bias for action. We are proactive, looking for opportunities to improve ourselves and our work, to fill gaps, to solve problems, and to support our colleagues and allies.
IHS runs programs and engages faculty and students across the country, but we are also a strong local partner of George Mason University. GMU is a national leader in freedom of thought and expression in higher education. Our shared values make the university a natural fit for IHS. We are proud to be part of the Mason community.
Board & Leadership
We believe in the classical liberal vision of the good society: a tolerant and pluralistic society in which intellectual and economic progress are the norm, and where individuals and communities flourish in a context of openness, voluntary and peaceful cooperation, intellectual humility, and mutual respect.
Board of Directors
Prof. Christopher J. Coyne
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Mr. Chris J. Rufer
The Morning Star Company, Woodland, CA
Prof. Todd J. Zywicki
George Mason University, Arlington, VA
Prof. Tyler Cowen
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Mr. Brian Hooks
Stand Together, Arlington, VA
Prof. Virgil Storr
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Mr. Charles G. Koch, Chairman Emeritus
Koch Industries, Wichita, KS
Mr. James Arthur Pope
John William Pope Foundation, Raleigh, NC
Mr. Ryan Stowers, Chairman
Charles Koch Foundation, Arlington, VA
Our Leadership Team
News & Media Mentions
December 2, 2021
First Amendment Advocates Struggle to Say What's a Crime and What's Protected
USA Today
