A Platform for Research in the Social Sciences
A Place for Creation
The FMSH promotes exchange and dialogue about research projects by hosting research teams from all over the world.
The Foundation helps invited researchers integrate their work into broad and interdisciplinary networks by offering various possibilities for collective and/or individual work, research groups, projects, and others.
Organizing colloquiums and conferences not only helps diffuse ideas and research findings, but more importantly it provides an outlet for meaningful debates and exchange. Comparing research and ideas helps researchers situate their work in a larger scientific context.
Diffusion Center
At the FMSH, diffusing knowledge and know-how is done using various structures and tools:
- The library was created alongside invited researchers and international partners (Ford Foundation) in the early 1960s. It holds numerous works that are difficult to find in other French academic libraries.
- The Editions de la MSH (FMSH’s Publishing House) publishes numerous works that fall into the framework of the Foundation’s research program policy.
- The online library (University Press Shop) publishes online the Foundation’s works in the human and social sciences and some works from other academic publishers.
- The Interinstitutional Center for diffusion (CID) is devoted to promoting and publishing research works.
- The Audiovisual ResearchArchives (ARA) provide open access to audiovisual heritage covering all disciplines in the human and social sciences.
- The DEVAR Service develops and experiments with new procedures for promoting research works.
A Supportive Structure
The FMSH also offers logistical support to researchers:
- The Maison Suger, – a center for research, cooperation, and housing – hosts some 270 researchers every year.
- On site at the FMSH, researchers have access to computer support, including wireless internet access.
- Three FMSH services are available to help elaborate and implement projects as well as manage research teams (budget department, human resources, and legal assistance).
- The Communications unit helps raise awareness about the Foundation’s activities.
In 2006 and 2007, the Foundation began creating a “digital workspace” for researchers in the social and human sciences. For this, it updated its diffusion tools and computer resources while remaining loyal to its fundamental mission to assist and host researchers with little or no information technology tools. In effect, its role is still to support researchers, some of which would go unheard despite their scientific knowledge due to fragile geopolitical contexts or not being affiliated with official academic circles.