David Autor named head of the Department of Economics
A faculty member since 1999, Autor is a leading researcher in artificial intelligence and the work of the future.
MIT in the media: Exploring how curiosity-driven science is an essential ingredient in America’s success
“Scientific American” showcases the history and future of America’s scientific engine, highlighting promising young scientists and icons at MIT and beyond.
Summer 2026 recommended reading from MIT
Enjoy these recent titles from Institute faculty and staff.
How architecture influences political activity
In Ghana, semi-communal “compound houses” affect how much people vote and participate in political activity, new research shows.
Exploring the societal impacts of AI
During the AI and Society Forum, leading MIT researchers examined critical questions about AI’s influence on employment and democracy.
“We can’t ship goods without functioning ports”
PhD student Chelsea Mitchell studies the economic forces that shape shipping ports and their ability to support global supply chains.
QS ranks MIT the world’s No. 1 university for 2026-27
Ranking at the top for the 15th year in a row, the Institute also places first in 12 subject areas.
MIT Open Learning reaches all the way to the South Pole
John Della Costa uses OpenCourseWare to engage fellow Antarctica “winterovers” in physics content, and to build community.
The long history of vaccine hesitancy
Thomas Levenson’s new book shows how arguments against vaccination reach back to the beginning of the technology itself.
Innovative projects explore ways to deal with extreme heat
Low-cost personal cooling and emissions-free air conditioning among ideas studied with MIT’s Climate Project seed funding.
The crucial human component in computing and AI
The MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium brought together experts and researchers working at the heart of ethical and social impact in technology.
Research from the ground up
A leading innovator in community-based archaeology, Professor Sonya Atalay works to link local know-how with academic inquiry across the globe.
A plan to preserve wetlands without stopping development
Study shows the tradeoff between conservation and growth is less stark with a locally adjusted policy featuring both tradeable offsets and taxes.
Place-based pathways to a viable future
Living Climate Futures Symposium explores climate challenges and solutions at the community level.
Eleven from MIT accept 2026 Fulbright awards
This year, over half of MIT’s Fulbright applicants won awards. The current students and alumni will embark on research projects and teaching abroad in 2026-27.