Collaboration is an essential feature. The research team (whatever its composition) meets regularly every quarter.

Projects have a small group -- two to four people -- of core personnel, who are ultimately responsible for the success of the project. In addition, each team has a project manager who oversees details of budgets, scheduling, etc., and serves as point person for the SHL staff.

Research bridges disciplines and often links the humanities to the arts, the sciences, and technology.

Projects are output-oriented, culminating in work that falls outside the traditional boundaries of humanities scholarship.

They include some sort of outreach dimension that attempts to reach non-specialist audiences. There is also a curricular component to most projects.

The time frame is finite -- generally two to five years.

Research fellows include both graduate students and undergraduate interns (in addition to other members of the scholarly community).