Platforms & services

As a research unity, the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (UAR 3550) conducts its own research projects, but its mission is also to support the projects of its associate laboratories and the Social Sciences and Humanities lecturers of Clermont Auvergne University. Thus, it provides eight specific services and five technological platforms.

The MSH supports its associate laboratories in their daily activities. It provides services in various domains, such as:

  • Reception,
  • Logistics,
  • Financial support,
  • Administrative management,
  • Financial management,
  • Computer science,
  • Communication,
  • Information,

The MSH engineers support researchers and lecturers in their projects, from determining their needs to realizing their deliverables. Its five technological platforms are:

  • Focale SHS (audiovisual media),
  • ArchiTex (digital humanities),
  • IntelEspace (geomatics),
  • PUD Clermont-Auvergne (University data platform),
  • Presses Universitaires Blaise-Pascal (Blaise-Pascal University Press).

Platforms

Focale SHS:

  • Filmmaking (scientific documentaries) and podcast recording
  • Recording of international scientific events
  • Management of the Canal-U social network
  • Equipment loan

ArchiTex:

  • Corpus and database creation, website conception
  • Data analyzing and referencing
  • Management, structuring and data training

IntelEspace:

  • Processing of geolocated data acquired through the use of drones (photogrammetry, Lidar, multispectral, thermal)
  • Research support
  • Geomatics processing tools training
  • Spatial archeology and heritage promotion
  • Interdisciplinary projects

PUD Clermont-Auvergne:

  • Research and data identification support
  • Training organization and management

Presses Universitaires Blaise-Pascal:

  • Manuscript selection and assessment
  • Digital and paper publishing
  • Scientific works promotion and distribution

Library

In our library, you will find a calm and friendly workplace, dedicated to research in Humanities, as well as a specialized document research service that will guide you throughout every documentary dimension of your research and publication projects.

The library provides its researchers with documentary funds related to the themes and programs developed within the MSH and its laboratories. In addition to a general documentation in Humanities, the library keeps specialized collections and funds, including the “fond Bastaire” (the “Bastaire fund”, a collection of popular literature and archive from Jean Bastaire), the Thérepsicore fund (drama history during the French Revolution), and the editorial funds for children. It also gathers scientific archive funds related to research activities developed within the MSH (here is a link to the specialized funds).

Practical information 

  • Access: potential readers interested by the documentary funds are welcome. The access to the library and the documents is free. The library has about twenty seats, as well as computers with a direct access to the catalogue and the online documentation available in Université Clermont-Auvergne and the CNRS.
  • Loan conditions: every student (enrolled in a master’s degree), teacher, researcher, MSH staff and registered reader to the university network can borrow documents from the funds. (3-month renewable long-time loans if one is enrolled in a master’s). Essays, standard reference books, ancient documents and children’s literature are to be read on site.
  • Opening hours: The library is located on the third floor of the MSH (4 rue Ledru). It is opened Monday to Friday, from 9 to 12am and 2 to 5pm.

Outside library hours, documents can be returned in a box located near the entrance to the library, during the opening hours of the MSH (8am – 6.30pm).