The weekly Fellows’ Seminar (Tuesdays 10:15–11:45 am) is the core of academic activities at HCAS. The seminar gives fellows the opportunity to present their ongoing research project to other fellows and to initiate an interdisciplinary conversation on methods, concepts, and the theoretical premises of the project. We encourage fellows to present draft or preliminary findings and to use the presentation to discuss a challenge they are currently tackling.
At the beginning of the academic year, fellows are also invited to give shorter presentations of their research projects to the HCAS community.
HCAS usually hosts several official symposia during the academic year. The symposia are interdisciplinary as well as international in nature, and they give fellows the opportunity to collaborate with each other and to invite researchers from other units of the University of Helsinki and from other universities to participate as co-organizers, speakers, session chairs, and audience. The HCAS symposia receive funding as well as organizational support from HCAS.
In addition, the fellows may organize workshops, lectures, and other small meetings even on an ad hoc principle. They are also encouraged to develop other forms of cooperation, such as reading groups, and they may use the HCAS facilities for this purpose.
Fellows should be present at the Collegium 80% of the time of their employment at HCAS. In addition to focusing on their individual research projects, fellows are expected to attend the weekly seminar meetings. The fellows' seminar is the most important forum for interdisciplinary exchange at HCAS, and each fellow gives at least one presentation at the seminar during the academic year.
Fellows are also required to report their publications in the University of Helsinki TUHAT database and to mention their HCAS affiliation in publications, conferences, and media appearances.
Core fellows have a 5% teaching requirement from the second year onward. The teaching is conducted within the faculties of the University of Helsinki. Fellows may also participate in the organization of the annual HCAS Winter School for doctoral students.
HCAS strives to be a scholarly community where fellows have plenty of opportunities to meet and engage in conversation also outside the weekly seminar program. To support this, we organize informal lunches and coffee breaks that fellows are encouraged to attend when it suits their schedule.
The academic year begins with an orientation week, including social events off-site, and ends with a spring outing. We also organize seasonal parties, receptions after seminars, informal get-togethers of fellows, and gatherings open to family members. Fellows are encouraged to use the Collegium facilities and internal communication channels to organize social meetings outside the official Collegium program.
Fellows’ feedback consistently highlights that the Collegium’s social life and strong sense of community are important on their intellectual development and for forming lasting friendships.
In recognition of the peace and quiet that focused research requires, HCAS provides fellows with dedicated workspace. Our offices are equipped with a computer, a mobile phone, a desk and chair, bookshelves, and a closet.
All offices are located in the Collegium building (Fabianinkatu 24), next to the main libraries of the University of Helsinki and at the heart of the central campus.
HCAS fellows can reserve rooms at the Collegium for research-related events and meetings. Larger events are held in the Common Room, a lounge-like space that flexibly serves conferences, seminar sessions, lunches, and receptions. The Common Room includes a kitchenette, dining tables, and a comfortable seating area for coffee gatherings or quiet reading. The seminar section of the Common Room is equipped with modern conference technology, enabling live streaming and recording of events.
Fellows can also use a separate meeting room suitable for smaller seminars, meetings, online conferences, and working groups.
HCAS fellows have full library privileges that give access to printed and electronic books, journals and other resources at the
The academic year at HCAS begins in September with an orientation week, during which new fellows are introduced to Collegium practices and to the University of Helsinki. The weekly seminar runs from early September to mid-December, then resumes in mid-January and continues until the end of May. May and early June are typically busy with conferences and symposia. The office is closed for all of July while the administrative staff are on vacation.