MIT named the nation’s top university by U.S. News for 2026-27
The Institute’s undergraduate engineering, computer science, and economics programs are No. 1; its business program is No. 2.
Podcast: SHASS’s special sauce
Established after World War II, the School of the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences is an integral part of the MIT experience. Three faculty reflect on the school’s ongoing impact.
A new chapter for MIT Reads
A new focus on fiction and memoir aims to help the MIT community celebrate the power of storytelling and strengthen social connection.
Meet the 2026 tenured professors in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Faculty members granted tenure in Comparative Media Studies/Writing, Economics, Political Science, and Theater.
Understanding the world, from the Cold War to the age of AI
For 75 years, the Center for International Studies has brought together social scientists, engineers, and practitioners to understand global change, shape public debate, and address generational challenges.
Measure by measure, studying society accurately
Naoki Egami has become a standout in political methodology, helping refine tools that give scholars durable results.
Stories from the steel mills: A model for sharing workers’ histories
MIT anthropologist Chris Walley developed a project for people in Southeast Chicago to tell their histories — an approach any community can adopt.
Translating economic growth into better lives
Graduate student Lyonel Tanganco investigates how to improve public policy interventions and address challenges in nutrition, climate, and development.
Retooling to help democracy revive
Deindustrialization didn’t only hurt some workers, Daron Acemoglu says in a new book; it shrank the coalition supporting democracy, which needs expanding.
The mystery of the Chinese tea chest label
MIT historian Tristan Brown uncovers the true origins of an artifact once thought to be a relic of the Boston Tea Party.
Using reason, again and again
Philosopher Brian Hedden studies decision-making over time — and recently chose to return to alma mater MIT, where he is now connecting ethics and computing.
MIT honors employees with 2026 Excellence Awards, Collier Medal, and Staff Award for Distinction in Service
The MIT community celebrated the talent, dedication, and impact of its staff.
School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences welcomes six new faculty for 2026
New professors join the Comparative Media Studies/Writing, Economics, Linguistics, and Music and Theater Arts departments.
Following the questions where they lead
Assistant Professor Bailey Flanigan has arrived at complex computational methods for helping democracy thrive.
Arthur Bahr named head of MIT’s Literature Section
A faculty member since 2007, the scholar of medieval literature explores how different parts of physical manuscripts combine to create interest and meaning.