Massachusetts Institute of Technology's School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (MIT SHASS) unveils leadership appointments for the 2024-25 academic year.
Ready for a rundown of the new faces leading the way at MIT's School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS) for 2024-25?
Get ready to meet these trailblazers, as Agustin Rayo, the Kenan Sahin Dean of MIT SHASS, is confident they'll bring exceptional leadership and unique visions to their respective units.
- Chris Walley, renowned anthropologist, snags the head of Anthropology position. A SHASS Dean's Distinguished Professor, her career took off after earning a PhD in anthropology from NYU back in 1999. Her work spans from environmental conflicts in coastal Tanzania and post-industrial Chicago to co-creating a documentary film named "Exit Zero: An Industrial Family Story." She helms the Southeast Chicago Archive and Storytelling Project.
- Taking the reins of the Comparative Media Studies Program/Writing will be Seth Mnookin, a seasoned journalist, science writer, and 2019-20 Guggenheim Fellow. A Harvard College alum, he will continue serving in his role as director of the Graduate Program in Science Writing.
- Kieran Setiya, a professor of philosophy, will serve as head of the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy. A poor bloke, he works mainly in ethics, epistemology, and the philosophy of mind. He received his PhD in philosophy from Princeton University in 2002.
- In the Literature Section, associate professors Sandy Alexendre and Stephanie Frampton will share leadership duties. Alexendre researches Black American literature and culture, while Frampton is also co-chair of the Program in Ancient and Medieval Studies.
- Jay Scheib, Class of 1949 Professor of Music and Theater Arts, will lead the Music and Theater Arts Section. An esteemed thespian, he has scooped awards like the Guggenheim Fellowship and the OBIE Award for Best Direction.
- In the Program in Science, Technology, and Society, Kate Brown will serve as head. Brown, the Thomas M. Siebel Distinguished Professor in History of Science, delves into the intersection of history, science, technology, and bio-politics. She will publish "Tiny Gardens Everywhere: A Kaleidoscopic History of the Food Sovereignty Frontier" in 2025.
- Meanwhile, in the Program in Women's and Gender Studies, Sana Aiyar will step up as interim head. A historian of modern South Asia, she received her PhD from Harvard University in 2009.
As a reminder, the most accurate and up-to-date information can be found on the official MIT SHASS website or by contacting their administration directly.
- Chris Walley, with a distinguished background in anthropology, has been appointed as the head of the Anthropology department at MIT SHASS, bringing her expertise on environmental conflicts and documentary film-making.
- Seth Mnookin, a seasoned journalist, science writer, and Guggenheim Fellow, will take over the Comparative Media Studies Program/Writing, while continuing his role as director of the Graduate Program in Science Writing.
- Kieran Setiya, a professor of philosophy known for his work in ethics, epistemology, and the philosophy of mind, will lead the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT SHASS.
- In the Literature Section, associate professors Sandy Alexendre and Stephanie Frampton will jointly lead, with Alexendre focusing on Black American literature and culture, and Frampton co-chairing the Program in Ancient and Medieval Studies.
- Jay Scheib, Class of 1949 Professor of Music and Theater Arts, will guide the Music and Theater Arts Section, having won awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and the OBIE Award for Best Direction.
- In the Program in Science, Technology, and Society, Kate Brown, Thomas M. Siebel Distinguished Professor in History of Science, will serve as head, focusing on the intersection of history, science, technology, and bio-politics, with a book titled "Tiny Gardens Everywhere: A Kaleidoscopic History of the Food Sovereignty Frontier" set to publish in 2025.
- The Program in Women's and Gender Studies will see Sana Aiyar as interim head, who is a historian of modern South Asia and holds a PhD from Harvard University. The latest information can be found on the official MIT SHASS website or by contacting their administration directly.
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