2026 Cabell First Novelist Award

Date: Thursday, Nov 12, 2026

Olufunke Grace Bankole has won the 2026 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, which honors an outstanding debut novel published during the preceding calendar year.

VCU Visiting Writers Series: Carvell Wallace

Date: Tuesday, Feb 16, 2027

The VCU Visiting Writers Series hosts a reading by acclaimed author Carvell Wallace.

The Blake Lecture in the History of Christianity

Date: Thursday, Apr 1, 2027

Save the date of April 1, 2027 for the annual Blake Lecture in the History of Christianity featuring Shaily Patel, Ph.D., an assistant professor of early Christianity in the Department of Religion and Culture at Virginia Tech.

Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival 2026

Dates: Wednesday, Nov 18, 2026 – Sunday, Nov 22, 2026

The Humanities Research Center is proud to be part of the VCU team providing leadership support to Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Witch Studies Symposium

Date: Thursday, Oct 22, 2026

Learn about the emerging field of Witch Studies.

The Future of the Middle East

Date: Tuesday, Nov 10, 2026

Join the International Studies Program for a panelist discussion on the current situation and possibilities for the future of the Middle East.

Songs of American Democracy: The Protest Music of Social Movements in the United States

Date: Thursday, Dec 3, 2026

Join the College of Humanities and Sciences for a special lecture from Eric Slater about the protest music that played alongside the major social movements from the 1960s to today.

Biology Alumni Networking Event

Date: Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026

Reconnect with fellow biology alumni, faculty, and friends at our upcoming networking event.

Matilde Moros Annual Lecture

Date: Wednesday, Mar 24, 2027

The annual Matilde Moros lecture features Ashley Coleman Taylor, Ph.D., an assistant professor of religious studies and women’s and gender studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

Robertson’s Next Chapter: An Evening with Director Dr. Brian G. Smith

Date: Friday, Nov 13, 2026

Join the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences’ Richard T. Robertson School of Communication for an evening with Director Dr. Brian G. Smith and reconnect with fellow Robertson School alums, faculty, and leadership.

"Wounded Healer" Author Talk

Date: Saturday, Nov 14, 2026

In partnership with Author and AFAM Alumna Evandra Catherine, the Department of African American Studies will cosponsor an author talk on the book "Wounded Healer: Breaking Cycles of Trauma For The Next Generation"

Democratizing the Humanities: A Conversation about Public Humanities Work

Date: Monday, Nov 30, 2026

Join the Humanities Research Center for an event in our Repair Speaker Series, featuring David Bearinger, former Senior Director of Grants and Global Virginia Programs at Virginia Humanities, and Gregg Kimball, Senior Historian in Residence at the Shockoe Institute and HRC Community Fellow.

Oyster Shell Bagging

Date: Friday, Nov 13, 2026

Join us at the VCU Rice Rivers Center to help bag and stack recycled oyster shells. The shell will later be seeded with larval oysters for use on restoration projects in the Chesapeake.

GIS Day

Date: Thursday, Nov 19, 2026

To explore the importance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and maps and their ability to connect people, regions, and systems, VCU Libraries joins with hundreds of organizations around the world to mark GIS Day.