Institute for Advanced Study begins new academic year with scholars on campus
Following a year and a half of digital seminars, remote collaboration, and a phased return to campus, the Institute for Advanced Study has begun its 2021–22 academic year with a continuation of in-person activities.
The Institute will welcome 271 new and returning scholars and scientists to campus who hail from 38 countries and represent 114 academic institutions. About half of the visiting scholars are from other countries.
Wendy Brown, appointed in July as UPS Foundation Professor in the School of Social Science, will begin her first term on the faculty. One of the preeminent political theorists of her generation, she is leading the school’s special theme year on “Political Mobilizations and Social Movements” with James D. Wolfensohn Professor Didier Fassin and in collaboration with Harold F. Linder Professor Alondra Nelson, who serves as deputy director for science and society for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
“I am thrilled to be able to welcome a brilliant and esteemed group of scholars to campus this year, and I am deeply thankful to everyone in our community who continues to support safe spaces and our ability to offer an in-person campus experience,” said Institute for Advanced Study Director Robbert Dijkgraaf in a written statement about the start of the new academic year. “The pandemic has taught us a great deal about ourselves and opened up new channels of collaboration. I am eager to see how these lessons and tools will be applied at the Institute to forge a brighter and more informed future.”
The Institute for Advanced Study is dedicated to independent study across the sciences and humanities. Founded in 1930, the Institute is devoted to advancing knowledge without concern for immediate application. Research at the Institute for Advanced Study is conducted across four schools — historical studies, mathematics, natural sciences, and social science. Institute for Advanced Study scholars are selected by the permanent faculty in a highly competitive process. Each year, the Institute for Advanced Study welcomes more than 200 of the world’s most promising post-doctoral researchers and scholars who are selected and mentored by permanent faculty members who are preeminent leaders in their fields.
You can learn more about current scholars and their research on the Institute for Advanced Study’s website.
The Institute requires trustees, faculty, staff, and members to provide proof of having completed a COVID-19 vaccination before gaining on-campus access to offices, libraries, seminars, meetings, meals, and other resources. The Institute is currently closed to the public due to the pandemic.
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.