“The Fellowship in Ideas program provided me with a rare opportunity to explore beloved texts, survey the philosophies and motivations of great authors, and apply newly-acquired understandings to my own creative process. I delighted at having my worldview challenged every step of the way! This year was all about encountering new ways of thinking, piecing together information in a manner that is new to me, and forging new friendships. This experience was lifechanging and will surely persist well beyond year’s end.”
Tyler Wright, 2024 Fellowship in Ideas recipient
“It was a great joy and privilege to be part of the HMU Fellowship in Ideas this year! I loved being encouraged to research and write according to my academic passions but also to receive meaningful advice and direction to strengthen my understanding of how the humanities apply to my disciplines of expertise. The faculty and staff at HMU went above and beyond to help me grow in my educational capacities.”
John Wiley, 2024 Fellowship in Ideas recipient
“The fellowship was a very great opportunity for learning and enhancing my professional prowess.”
Taiwo Oguntuyo, 2020 Fellowship in Ideas Recipient
“This Fellowship has been a wonderful opportunity, and I am very grateful for it. As I’ve shared previously, it came at a time when I’m broadening my intellectual horizons in ways that are connecting categories and yielding new insights.“
David Yamada, 2022 Fellowship in Ideas Recipient
HMU FELLOWSHIP IN IDEAS
The HMU Fellowship in Ideas is a writing and discussion project in the humanities designed for a recent university graduate from any field who has an interest in the humanities, interdisciplinary dialogue, and intellectual and professional enrichment. The Fellowship offers emerging scholars exposure to the history of ideas in Western civilization, networking opportunities amongst an array of academicians, lifelong learners, readers, and thinkers from a broad range of disciplines, and credited authorship in two university publications.
The role of the fellows
Over the course of nine months, the HMU Fellow in Ideas will:
- Participate in virtual Socratic discussions with university faculty and other Fellows.
- Contribute two entries to the Harrison Middleton University Blog.
- Publish a book review in HMU: Dialogues, Harrison Middleton University’s biannual newsletter.
Benefits
The successful applicant to the HMU Fellowship in Ideas will enjoy the following benefits:
- A $500 stipend.
- The opportunity to participate in virtual Socratic discussions with university faculty and Fellows.
- Online publication in the HMU Blog and HMU: Dialogues.
- At the conclusion of the Fellowship term, a complimentary set of three Great Books Foundation publications.
Application Requirements
The successful applicant must:
- Have received a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree (in any field).
- Have an interest in the humanities and the great ideas of Western civilization.
- Demonstrate outstanding reading, writing, and communication abilities.
- Commit to writing two blog entries for the HMU Blog and one book review for HMU: Dialogues.
Application Process
Please provide the following:
- A completed application form.
- A biographical statement of no more than 500 words that addresses your background as a student, your interest in the humanities, and your interest in the HMU Fellowship in Ideas.
- An appropriately cited expository essay of no more than 1500 words plus a works cited page, applying your interest to a great idea in the humanities related to one of these concentrations: imaginative literature, natural science, philosophy and religion, and social science. While we encourage the use of technology and tools to enhance your writing, we ask that you exercise academic integrity and creativity in your work. Your submissions should reflect your own original thoughts, analysis, and insights.
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2025 Fellowship.
Estella Achinko
Estella E. Achinko has a robust background in interdisciplinary studies and a passion for the humanities. She holds a master’s degree from DePaul University of Chicago and has developed an impressive expertise across a variety of fields, particularly in women’s and gender studies, African, American, and British literatures, and international policy development. As a dedicated researcher with five years of experience, Estella has honed her skills in qualitative research, focusing on analyzing and addressing complex social issues through critical and contextual analysis. Her scholarly work has led to multiple publications and presentations at international conferences, where she has explored themes such as conflict transformation, sustainable peace, and gender-based violence. Notably, she has published influential articles like “Ending Armed Conflict: African Women Redefining Activism for Nation-Building” and “Is ‘Silencing the Guns’ Achievable in Africa? Drawing Lessons from Conflict Transformation,” both of which highlight her commitment to promoting peace, and justice through a feminist and interdisciplinary lens. Estella’s interest in the humanities extends beyond academia; she is also an active leader in non-profit organizations and policy advocacy. As the co-founder and Program Coordinator of the Women’s Welfare Foundation (WoWF) in Cameroon, she has worked tirelessly to advocate for girls’ education, empower widows and orphans, and address gender rights. Her work with the Women’s Welfare Foundation reflects her deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education and community empowerment, especially for underrepresented groups.
Sabahat Ali Wani
Sabahat Ali Wani (she/her) is a Kashmiri researcher, writer, critic and visual artist. Her research interests include: art theory, visual art and cultures, resistance arts and feminism. Specifically, she researches and writes about the intersection of Kashmir’s visual arts with socio-political resistance from a feminist lens. Her creative and academic writings have previously appeared in The Polis Project, Zero Readers, Asylum Magazine, The CoalitionWorks, Nobody Magazine, photogenie and South Asian Today. Her artwork has also appeared in many publications like Blue Marble Review, the long con magazine, Variant Literature and Josephine Quarterly amongst others.
Ibrahim Nureni
Ibrahim Nureni is a creative writer, critic, and researcher with a keen interest in exploring the therapeutic power of literature for individuals and communities affected by infectious diseases, environmental crises, and postcolonial issues. As a founding Fellow of Wawa Book Review, he has amplified African voices through book reviews and currently serves as Assistant Editor of The Mamba Journal.
His creative works, especially haiku, have appeared in renowned journals such as Heron’s Nest and Acorn, among others. His book reviews are featured in Fortunate Traveller, Baram House, Open: Journal of Arts & Letters, and other platforms. Ibrahim doubles as a Fellow of the Bill Anderson Fund and the HMU Fellowship in Ideas.
Rachel Perez
Rachel D. Perez is an interdisciplinary scholar and creative dedicated to exploring Black ontology, Africana philosophy, and Black existence through a metaphysical lens. A recent graduate of Rutgers University, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Spanish, with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and certificates in Latino and Caribbean Studies and Translation and Interpreting. Her work is mostly focused on bridging academic research with artistic expression to illuminate the complexities of (Black) being. She is committed to creating spaces that foster critical engagement with philosophies, aiming for a more inclusive and equitable set of ideas.
Joy Reeves
Joy Reeves is an energy justice advocate, science communicator, and climate cartoonist from Washington, D.C. She currently works as Assistant Director of Policy and Programs at the Rachel Carson Council, an environmental justice nonprofit focused on advocacy against the wood pellet industry, synthetic pesticides, and false climate solutions. In 2024, Joy received a Master’s degree in Environmental Management with a specialization in Environmental Economics and Policy from Duke University. Joy’s passion is in environmental communication and rhetoric, particularly in uniting the public on bipartisan climate solutions. She received formal training in science communication as a Huang Fellow in 2019, founded the Environmental Comics Classroom and @theclimatecartoonist account, and authored the book Growing Up in the Grassroots: Finding Unity in Climate Activism Across Generations, published in 2020. Joy was named a Udall Scholar in 2021 and hopes to continue her career in public service.
