Skip to main content
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Lumiere 2017, Our Moon Cosmic Architecture What Matters Know Thyself Richard Bower Finola Finn

ThinkNet: Transformative Humanities International Knowledge Network

Reimagining and reinvigorating the humanities as a force for global innovation and societal transformation.

In an era defined by fragmentation, uncertainty, and complex global challenges, the humanities must reclaim their role as critical tools for collective understanding and ethical engagement.

ThinkNet is Durham University’s vehicle for that renewal. It is a values-led, global initiative designed to connect serious humanistic inquiry directly to shared global problems, while strengthening the standing, confidence, and public impact of humanities work worldwide.

What is ThinkNet?

ThinkNet is not a cumbersome institutional structure. It is an evolving, agile network of international partnerships between universities, researchers, and educators who share a commitment to Transformative Humanities.

Our vision is built on four core pillars:

  • A Network, not a consortium: We focus on lightweight, adaptable partnerships that respond to real-world challenges—social, medical, environmental, technological, cultural, and political—with intellectual seriousness and global vision.

  • A broad, porous approach: We construe the humanities broadly, integrating relevant areas of the arts and social sciences. We don't dissolve disciplinary boundaries; we cross them when a problem demands a richer vocabulary and deeper judgment.

  • Decentralised and diverse collaboration: ThinkNet fosters culturally diverse and operationally decentralised collaboration. Every international partner contributes in ways that reflect their unique local context and priorities.

  • Rethinking the role of the humanities: We are explicitly normative. ThinkNet doesn't just ask what we study together, but how and why—ensuring humanistic inquiry remains both credible and consequential in the modern world.

Why ThinkNet matters

The challenges facing the arts and humanities span both academic and management aspects of higher education. ThinkNet offers a distinct, positive response to sector-wide scepticism by shifting the narrative.

Feature The ThinkNet Impact
Values-led internationalisation Moves beyond recruitment and rankings toward shared purpose, mutual learning, and robust global partnerships.
A collective response Proves the viability and value of the arts and humanities by focusing on substantive, real-world contributions without losing intellectual depth.
Bridging the academic-management gap Unlike traditional scholarly networks, ThinkNet brings university leaders and academics into the same conversation, positioning the humanities at the very heart of the modern university's mission.

Our strategy: regional workshops

ThinkNet is built for longevity. Rather than a series of one-off events, it is designed as a durable framework for institutional collaboration.

The network is growing through a phased series of Regional Workshops hosted by our global partner institutions. These workshops serve as active catalysts for:

  • Developing durable international relationships and shared thematic interests.

  • Building collaborative research and education capacity.

  • Identifying next-stage initiatives, including joint research bids, co-taught programmes, doctoral networks, short courses, and public engagement collaborations.

Partner with us

ThinkNet is actively being developed with premier institutional partners across several global regions. To learn more about our upcoming workshops, research initiatives, or how your institution can get involved, please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Deanery.