School of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences

Suzanne Berger named inaugural John M. Deutch Institute Professor

Political scientist awarded MIT’s highest faculty honor in new titled position.

July 10, 2019

"This is an exhilarating time for MIT, and for political science in particular, as we navigate an evolving intellectual landscape" says David Singer, professor of political science and head of the Department of Political Science.

David Singer named head of the Department of Political Science

Singer is a scholar of international political economy, a subfield of political science focused on international economic relations.

July 9, 2019

"The efficacy and success of medical advances must always be evaluated within a larger social context,” says Ankita Reddy ’19, who aims to be a physician-anthropologist. “In order to do the most good for individual patients and to slow the spread of disease, our interventions need to take into consideration the public health capacity of communities as well as local ideas of health and sickne...

Ankita Reddy ’19 blends anthropology and biology to improve public health

Recent graduate says culturally-aware approaches lead to more-effective medical interventions.

July 3, 2019

“For more than 40 years, the faculty, fellows, and students of SSP have been conducting policy-relevant and rigorous research on questions of war and peace, both among states and within them. I am honored to be given this opportunity to serve as director and look forward to working with my SSP and MIT colleagues in this new role,” says M. Taylor Fravel, the Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of P...

Taylor Fravel named director of the MIT Security Studies Program

Barry Posen announces the leadership transition, welcomes the infusion of new energy.

July 1, 2019

Rickshaw drivers at work in India. A study by MIT economist Frank Schilbach explores the effects of sobriety programs among rickshaw drivers in the country.

Among India’s working poor, sobriety may boost savings

Economist’s study of rickshaw drivers shows effects of alcohol consumption on financial decision-making.

June 21, 2019

Speaking at the induction event, Diana Henderson, an MIT professor of literature and the President of Xi of Massachusetts, said: “This year’s inductees have been chosen on the basis of their exceptional academic performance. Their educational choices have included not only technical subjects but also a substantial commitment to the humanities and social and natural sciences — the liberal art...

MIT chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society inducts 76 students from the Class of 2019

The new members of Xi of Massachusetts, the MIT chapter of PBK, combine the best of humanities, natural science, and social science scholarship.

June 20, 2019

QS ranks MIT the world’s No. 1 university for 2019-20

Ranked at the top for the eighth straight year, the Institute also places first in 11 of 48 disciplines.

June 18, 2019

"As an engineer and historian, I’ve been 'bilingual' my entire career,” says David Mindell, the Dibner Professor of the History of Engineering and Manufacturing; professor of aeronautics and astronautics; and co-founder and CEO of Humatics Corporation. “Dual competence is a good model for undergraduates at MIT as well."

3Q: David Mindell on his vision for human-centered robotics

Engineer and historian discusses how the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing might integrate technical and humanistic research and education.

June 18, 2019

PhD student Clare Kim studies the history of mathematics and the ways that mathematicians interacted with artists, humanists, and philosophers throughout the 20th century.

A scholar and teacher re-examines moments in the history of STEM

“I love teaching,” says PhD student Clare Kim. “It’s not that I’m just imparting knowledge, but I want [my students] to develop a critical way of thinking.”

June 13, 2019

Left to right: David Fialkow; Nina Fialkow; Melissa Nobles, Kenan Sahin Dean of the MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; Hashim Sarkis, dean of the MIT School of Architecture and Planning; and Caroline Jones, professor in the Department of Architecture and director of the Transmedia Storytelling Initiative

Transmedia Storytelling Initiative launches with $1.1 million gift

Program creates a new hub for pedagogy and research in time-based media.

June 12, 2019

2018-19 J-WAFS Fellow Andrea Beck sits by the Charles River.

Untangling the social dynamics of water

J-WAFS Fellow and DUSP PhD student Andrea Beck examines the success factors behind water utility partnerships in Africa.

June 10, 2019

Dwaipayan Banerjee says he will endeavor to answer the question: What is lost when a handful of U.S.-based corporations seek to determine hierarchies of technology work and control how its social benefits are globally distributed?

Dwaipayan Banerjee receives 2019 Levitan Prize in the Humanities

Award will support research for "A Counter History of Computing in India."

June 10, 2019

Squire Booker PhD ’94, the Evan Pugh Professor of chemistry and of biochemistry and molecular biology and Eberly Family Distinguished Chair in Science at Penn State University, gave the keynote address at MIT’s Investiture of Doctoral Hoods and Degree Conferral ceremony on June 6, 2019.

At doctoral ceremony, a strong call to provide opportunity for all

Biochemist Squire Booker PhD ’94 says MIT’s new doctoral graduates will “grow as future leaders” by giving back.

June 6, 2019

MIT grad student Steven Gonzalez is showing that the cloud is neither distant nor ephemeral: It’s a massive system, ubiquitous in daily life, that contains huge amounts of energy, has the potential for environmental disaster, and is operated by an insular community of expert technicians.

Communities in the cloud

PhD student Steven Gonzalez studies cloud computing with the eye of an anthropologist.

June 5, 2019

Left to right: MIT Vice Chancellor Ian Waitz, Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart, and Vice President and Dean for Student Life Suzy Nelson

3Q: Ian Waitz on progress in enhancing the undergraduate and graduate student experience

Informed by data and community input, Waitz is making inroads into issues like financial insecurity among graduate students and undergraduate major exploration.