CLASSROOMS
Equip university professors to reach students at scale.
425K+students taught annually by IHS-affiliated faculty
200+alumni entering first-time faculty roles annually
10+10+ civics-focused centers helmed by IHS scholars
Human Flourishing Begins with Freedom
We explore, defend, and apply the principles of a free and open society—so people everywhere can live meaningful, self-directed lives.
WHAT WE DO
The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) develops and connects the brightest minds applying the principles of freedom to address society’s biggest questions and most complex challenges.
For 65 years, IHS has cultivated a network—now more than 7,000 strong—of university professors, policy experts, and civil society leaders. Rooted in the liberal intellectual tradition, this network produces the research needed to advance a society grounded in the dignity and equality of all people and constitutional restraint.
PHILOSOPHY & IMPACT
The Architecture of Freedom
We believe the principles of political, economic, cultural, and intellectual freedom are the best-known recipe for human flourishing. IHS supports scholars and builds coalitions that turn ideas into real-world impact across classrooms, policy, and public life.
POLICY
Guide courts and policymakers to protect individual rights and spark innovation.
40+scholars cited in US Supreme Court briefs
1M+Americans gained health care access
CULTURE
Unite broad coalitions in support of progress, toleration, and openness.
200M+reached by our scholars annually
Scholar Resources
IHS provides funding and programs designed to help research and teaching thrive.
How Ideas Shape the World
Ideas
AI Will Create Work, Not Decimate It
Emily Chamlee-Wright draws on economic history to challenge the assumption that AI will simply substitute for human effort across the board.
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Ideas
Why Individual Freedom Is the Heart of Classical Liberalism
Liberalism asserts that people deserve to follow their own beliefs, pursue their own goals, and live according to their own values.
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Case Studies
Alicia Plemmons: Fighting Licensing Barriers with Better Data
Why does it take longer to become a hair braider than a police officer? This question and others prompted Alicia to challenge licensing rules.
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Case Studies
Verlan Lewis: Beyond Left vs. Right
Verlan Lewis urges students to treat politics as plural, with many issues, many trade-offs, and many opportunities for humility.
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Case Studies
Jean Vilbert: Choosing Dignity Over Security
What made Jean Vilbert a successful judge also made him sensitive to what he’d surrendered: the freedom to ask certain questions.
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Ideas
A Liberal Foreign Policy That Favors Peace
The liberal vision for foreign policy prioritizes diplomacy, free trade, and cultural exchange, but maintains strength to resist aggression.
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Voices from the IHS Network
"Collaboration brings a tapestry of fresh perspectives... Many of my most enduring collaborations began as serendipitous encounters at such gatherings... These interactions exemplify the intrinsic value of The Institute For Humane Studies' academic events in forging connections and advancing research."
"Because of IHS's direct programs and events as well as its partner efforts at the College of Charleston, I had the chance to engage with a level of intellectual rigor, mentorship, and curiosity that shaped how I approach policy and leadership today. This early investment helped to set a direction for my career and equipped me with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to become a leader in this space."
"Intellectually and professionally, the Institute for Humane Studies changed the trajectory of my life. At a crucial moment, IHS helped me see that I could be part of a project much bigger than myself: the project of defending the free and open society. I’d never before considered such a possibility. IHS gave my studies a deeper purpose, and that gave me power. What to others seemed like years of hard work became for me a series of urgent and joyful days."