# Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities

> research institute at Northwestern University

**Wikidata**: [Q102256451](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102256451)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alice-kaplan-institute-for-the-humanities

## Summary
The Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities is a research institute at Northwestern University in the United States dedicated to the field of humanities. Established in 1992 and organizationally part of Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, it functions as a dedicated center for generating new knowledge through systematic investigation, distinct from the teaching-focused mission of the wider university. The institute is also known by several aliases, including the Kaplan Institute for the Humanities and the Kaplan Humanities Institute.

## Key Facts
- **Also Known As**: Kaplan Institute for the Humanities, Institute for the Humanities, Kaplan Humanities Institute, Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities at Northwestern University, Alice Kaplan Humanities Center, Alice Kaplan Center for the Humanities, Kaplan Institute, Kaplan Humanities Center.
- **Location**: United States.
- **Parent Organization**: Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
- **Founding**: Established in 1992 as the "Alice Kaplan Center for the Humanities."
- **Endowment**: Received a financial endowment in 2006.
- **Leadership**: Jessica Winegar serves as Director, a position she assumed on September 1, 2020.
- **Website**: https://humanities.northwestern.edu
- **Social Media**:
  - Twitter: @KaplanHum (joined October 5, 2016).
  - Facebook: KaplanHumanitiesInstitute.
  - YouTube: "alicekaplaninstituteforthe4012" (Channel ID: UCpEypS10YWliqGH0Pi2JO7Q).
- **Library Identifiers**: VIAF ID 232902383; Library of Congress Authority ID no2012044335.
- **Membership**: Member of the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes (as of 2022) and the National Humanities Alliance.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities founded?
The institute was originally established in 1992 under the name "Alice Kaplan Center for the Humanities." It later received a financial endowment in 2006.

### Q: Who is the current director of the institute?
Jessica Winegar is the current director. She began her tenure on September 1, 2020.

### Q: What is the organizational structure of the institute?
The institute is classified as a research institute and operates under the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University. It distinguishes itself from university departments by focusing primarily on research generation rather than degree-granting education.

### Q: What professional networks is the institute affiliated with?
The institute is a member of the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes (CHCI) and the National Humanities Alliance.

## Why It Matters
The Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities serves as a critical infrastructure for deep intellectual inquiry within Northwestern University. By existing as a specialized research institute rather than a standard academic department, it provides a dedicated space where scholars can pursue long-term, high-risk research in the humanities free from the administrative and teaching obligations typical of standard university faculties. As a member of the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes, it connects local scholarship to a global network, ensuring that the research generated at Northwestern contributes to broader international discourse in the humanities.

## Notable For
- **Dedicated Research Focus**: Operates exclusively for research in the humanities, differentiating it from teaching-focused university departments.
- **Global Network Integration**: Recognized membership in the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes and the National Humanities Alliance.
- **Extensive Naming History**: Has utilized at least eight different official aliases or shortenings (e.g., Kaplan Humanities Center, Alice Kaplan Humanities Center) throughout its history.
- **Digital Scholarship Presence**: Maintains a structured digital footprint across academic archives (VIAF, Library of Congress) and social media platforms since the mid-2010s.

## Body

### Organizational Structure and Classification
The Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities is formally classified as a **research institute**, an organization whose primary purpose is to conduct research and generate new knowledge. Unlike general university departments that balance teaching and administrative duties, the institute exists specifically for systematic investigation. It is physically and organizationally located within the **United States** at **Northwestern University**, functioning as a sub-unit of the **Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences**.

The institute is formally recognized in library cataloging systems via its Library of Congress Authority ID (no2012044335) and its Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) ID (232902383). It is also listed on the focus list for the WikiProject PCC Wikidata Pilot managed by Northwestern University Libraries.

### History and Nomenclature
The institute was founded in **1992**, initially operating under the title **"Alice Kaplan Center for the Humanities."** Significant organizational development occurred in **2006** when the institute secured a financial endowment.

In various official and informal contexts, the institute is referred to by multiple aliases. These include:
- Kaplan Institute for the Humanities
- Institute for the Humanities
- Kaplan Humanities Institute
- Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities at Northwestern University
- Alice Kaplan Humanities Center
- Alice Kaplan Center for the Humanities
- Kaplan Institute
- Kaplan Humanities Center

### Leadership
The institute is currently led by **Jessica Winegar**, who serves as the Director. Her appointment became effective on **September 1, 2020**.

### Affiliations and Networks
The institute maintains active memberships in prominent academic organizations. It is a confirmed member of the **Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes** (CHCI), a status verified in 2022. Additionally, it is a member of the **National Humanities Alliance**, an organization dedicated to advancing humanities policy and funding.

### Digital Presence and Media
The institute maintains a primary web presence at **https://humanities.northwestern.edu**. It operates active social media channels to disseminate research and event information:
- **Twitter**: Operating under the handle **@KaplanHum** (User ID: 783770584526229504) since October 5, 2016.
- **Facebook**: Identified by the handle **KaplanHumanitiesInstitute**.
- **YouTube**: Operates the channel "alicekaplaninstituteforthe4012" (Channel ID: UCpEypS10YWliqGH0Pi2JO7Q). The channel was created on February 5, 2016. As of a December 8, 2020 data point, the channel hosted 12 uploaded videos, had amassed 1,679 views, and maintained 11 subscribers.

## References

1. [Source](https://humanities.northwestern.edu/about/)
2. [Source](https://lccn.loc.gov/no2012044335)
3. [Source](https://chcinetwork.org/members/)
4. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126121019/https://nhalliance.org/about/members/)
5. [Source](https://humanities.northwestern.edu/about/news/2020/jessica-winegar-named-new-kaplan-institute-director.html)
6. YouTube API