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3 Questions: International collaborations in a shifting geopolitical climate

Professor Fotini Christia, director of the MIT Sociotechnical Systems Research Center and chair of the International Advisory Committee, reflects on the committee’s work.

July 5, 2023

On left, a portrait of Helen Elaine Lee with arms crossed. On right, the cover of the book shows a red split pomegranate on beige and teal background and says, “Pomegranate, a novel, Helen Elaine Lee.”

Q&A: A conversation with Helen Elaine Lee about her novel, “Pomegranate”

The MIT professor’s new book explores the world of a woman set free from prison and redefining herself in society.

June 30, 2023

AI image shows a mix between swirling whirlpools, splashes of water, hints of human ears, and green grass.

If art is how we express our humanity, where does AI fit in?

MIT postdoc Ziv Epstein SM ’19, PhD ’23 discusses issues arising from the use of generative AI to make art and other media.

June 15, 2023

Black space with thousands of stars, tiny swirling galaxies, dozens of very bright glowing lights, and a larger swirling galaxy on bottom right.

3Q: Exploring the universe’s “first light”

After the James Webb Space Telescope’s first year in service, astronomers are awash in new observations that illuminate the oldest stars and galaxies.

June 13, 2023

Tasan smiles with arms crossed in dark room, with spotlight shining in background on right.

Embracing life’s surprises

Unexpected experimental results often give Associate Professor Cem Tasan new insights into how metals break and deform — and how to design damage-resistant alloys.

June 11, 2023

A helicopter drops water on a vast, smokey forest fire

Q&A: Are far-reaching fires the new normal?

As Canada’s wildfires continue to be felt downwind, MIT experts weigh in on what to expect in the coming months, with wildfire season underway.

June 9, 2023

Abstract 3D illustration features a red humanlike figure with an oversized head that looks like a ball of rubber bands. It stands next to smaller human figure with swirls coming out of its head. Between the two figures are circular cloudlike objects.

MIT researchers make language models scalable self-learners

The scientists used a natural language-based logical inference dataset to create smaller language models that outperformed much larger counterparts.

June 8, 2023

Q&A: Gabriela Sá Pessoa on Brazilian politics, human rights in the Amazon, and AI

The Brazilian social justice reporter is a fellow at the MIT Center for International Studies.

June 6, 2023

President Kornbluth, wearing grey and red academic regalia, speaks at the podium, with green foliage and faculty in background.

President Sally Kornbluth’s charge to the Class of 2023

“Curiosity is endlessly electrifying,” Kornbluth told graduates.

June 1, 2023

Photo shows 3 white voting boxes against a brick wall. The boxes have an American flag and say, “VOTE.”

Facing up to democratic distrust

Study: False assumptions about election malfeasance could create a “death spiral” for democracy — but also provide some hope for bipartisan repair.

May 30, 2023

Street view of MIT Building 46, a large research building with a concrete-and-glass facade

Tackling the MIT campus’s top energy consumers, building by building

A full-building energy efficiency project aims to reduce total campus emissions by 2 percent.

May 25, 2023

MIT Commencement Thursday, June 1, 2023

Mark Rober - a YouTuber, inventor and engineer - to deliver MIT’s 2023 Commencement address.

May 23, 2023

McDonald smiles while sitting at his desk, with blurry office background.

Research pulled Michael McDonald in and it won’t let go

Since his first encounter with a research telescope, the astrophysics professor hasn't slowed in his quest to understand the behavior of galaxies.

May 7, 2023

Side-by-side photos: On the left, Eric Wang speaks into a microphone while other contestants observe. On the right, Alaa Algargoosh presents research with an image of the interior of a historic building in the background.

Third annual MIT Research Slam showcase highlights PhD and postdoc communication skills

The 2023 competition featured three-minute talks on cutting-edge research from across MIT in an engaging, live competition.

May 3, 2023

Khurana portrait photo while outside in Kendall Square, with “Galaxy: Earth Sphere” sculpture in background.

Q&A: Introducing Axim Collaborative, a new MIT-Harvard online ed venture

CEO Stephanie Khurana describes the nonprofit, whose work is aimed at those without easy access to degree and credential programs.