International Human Science Research Conference

The International Human Science Research Conference (IHSRC) has been held annually since 1982. It provides a collegial gathering place for presentations and dialogue for faculty members, graduate students, and others who are interested in the practice, theories, and [Page 452]principles that are related to qualitative research. According to the 1988 program, “The conference draws people who are interested in studying experiences as they occur for the individual, taking into account the larger social and historical context of human life. From this perspective, all of us who participate in this conference are researchers. That is, we are searching to discover that which is fundamentally human.”

Within the context of this organization, human science is defined broadly, although the phenomenological and hermeneutical traditions have been especially influential. The origin of the conference illustrates this point. The first meeting, in 1982, took place at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and grew out of a phenomenology seminar organized by graduate students and faculty members, mainly from education. The invited speakers for the first conference included Thomas Luckmann, Amedeo Giorgi, Max van Manen, and Ton Beekman. The second conference was hosted by Amedeo Giorgi, who chaired the program in phenomenological psychology at Duquesne University and who continues to play a central role in the IHSRC. Over the years, the conference has included qualitative researchers from other orientations such as grounded theory and social constructionism.

Until 1989, the conference was held in either Canada or the United States. Subsequently, the participants decided that it should alternate between North America and Europe. In 1995 it was held in South Africa, and in 2001 it was held in Japan. Most years the conference organizers have selected a broad theme (e.g., “Integration of the Human Sciences,” “Ethical Foundations and Implications,” “Caring for the Next Generation”) as a focus. Although the nature of the conference has remained relatively constant over time, the conference comes to life in a distinct way each year as it is hosted by a new university in a new location.

The IHSRC is unique in that it has existed for a quarter century with minimal organizational structure: it has no officers, board of directors, dues, bylaws, or the other paraphernalia associated with professional organizations. There is just an annual newsletter that is funded out of the conference fees. The organization is kept going by the dedication and enthusiasm of its members.