Why a Humour Summer School?

Interest in both research on humour and practical applications of humour has increased sharply in recent decades. The aims and objectives for the International Summer School and Symposium on Humour and Laughter are to ensure that both students just beginning their research careers and those already-trained researchers considering a first project on humour will enter the field with a strong foundation in existing theoretical and methodological issues, and will be well versed in the pitfalls confronting the scientific study of humour. For those interested in practical applications of humour in a variety of applied settings, the course will introduce them to the kinds of approaches that are being used around the world to put humour to work and to deliver the benefits of humour and laughter.

Support for emerging scholars

As a contribution to the early careers of emerging scholars, the Summer School has special arrangements for winners of either the Graduate Student Award (GSA) or the Don and Alleen Nilsen Young Scholar (DANYS) award, granted by the International Society for Humor Studies at their annual conference. Any award winner may participate in the Summer School with no registration fees, within 3 years of the award being granted. Winners of these two awards may also apply to teach 1-2 hours at the Summer School. Those interested should write to Willibald Ruch (see the Contact page for details). We are proud to say that several former Summer School participants have gone on to be ISHS award winners.

This summer school is endorsed by the The International Society for Humor Studies.

See the News page for details of the next summer school.

This video from 2010 gives an idea of what the Summer School is like: