Center for the Humanities

Empathy is the Central Theme of Todo Cambia Film Festival

February 25, 2026

Brightly colored photo of Assyrian women from Miram Ohan multimedia project

em·pa·thy (noun): the ability to recognize, understand and share the thoughts, emotions and perspectives of another person. It is a means of connection, a path to understanding. Can you see where I’m coming from? Walk a mile in my shoes. Empathy is the keyword for the 2026...

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NEH Grant Awarded to UC Merced for Sierra Nevada-Central Valley Archive in Library

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded a $750,000 grant to the UC Merced Library in partnership with the Center for the Humanities to establish a research...

Todo Cambia: Merced Human Rights Film Festival Kicks Off March 5

Artists and activists from around the country, including Merced, are taking part in a unique six-day film festival dedicated to social justice issues. The artists, along with leading scholars, will...

Sharim's "Central Valley Portraits" Exhibit Showcased Online and at UC Merced Library

After a two-month run at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, a UC Merced professor's exhibit is now available for viewing across the globe. "Central Valley Portraits," an...

UC Merced Launches Initiative to Aid Fleeing Afghan Scholars

The recent takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban forces has caused many Afghans to flee their homes searching for asylum. Responding to the urgency of the current situation in Afghanistan, UC Merced...

100 Sociology Undergraduate Students Trained in Survey Research

More than 100 sociology undergraduate students got the opportunity to conduct research about social movements and civic engagement in Central America. A UC Merced professor, along with...

"Central Valley Portraits" Exhibit Showcases Everyday Life, Including Grief and Hope, in Merced

There's no doubt that it's been a tough year. A global pandemic, political division, social unrest, wildfires and more have inundated people's lives. Now, a local exhibit created by a UC...

Archiving National Agony: Sharim’s Short Film Being Featured in International Film Festivals

A UC Merced professor's latest work has been selected for a pair of international film festivals this year. Global Arts, Media, and Writing Studies Professor Yehuda Sharim is having his...

Beyond Cinema: Reviews Shared for Professor's Films on Immigrants and Refugees

Global arts Professor Yehuda Sharim's 2019 documentary "Songs That Never End" continues to garner attention both on and off the screen. The film, along with two of his previous works...

Prestigious Biennial Grant Program Includes Funding for Ag-labor and Wildfire Research

Two new projects designed and led by UC Merced researchers will address challenges facing many Californians — wildfire recovery and agricultural labor — but will also have global reach...