The Academy’s record of distinction in Science, Engineering, and Technology dates to its founding mission “to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.” Rather than generate new scientific research, the role of the Academy has been uniquely interdisciplinary, bridging the social sciences and arts with the physical sciences to support a national understanding, belief, and trust in science and discovery. Perhaps no better example of this can be found than in the mid-1800s when the Academy hosted hotly contested debates about a new scientific theory: the theory of evolution.

Guest edited by Denis Donoghue, essays in the volume, “On the American Narrative,” explore many of the threads that create the country’s “master story,” including American exceptionalism and the role of the Constitution as the nation’s “operating manual.” These topics, considered by fourteen prominent scholars and writers, are emerging as themes of the 2012 presidential election campaign.

From the Archives

We have entered a new nuclear era. The Cold War world dominated by only two nuclear superpowers no longer exists (even if Russia and the United States still possess the lion’s share of nuclear weapons); it has grown into a multipolar nuclear environment.

New Data Available on College and University Humanities Departments

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences today announced that David W. Oxtoby has been named the organization’s next President.

The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands partnered with the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in May 2022 to host Strengthening American Democracy through Civic Investment, a historic effort to bring attention to the chronic underinvestment in the civic health of our nation’s communities and to mobilize resources to support the development of local civic infrastructure.

Experts in nuclear materials security gathered for a workshop on Jan. 8 and 9, 2009.

Jack Cogan was a man for whom the phrase “a giant of a gentleman” was the perfect description. He had many passions and hobbies–in business and politics, for social causes and cultural institutions–and he cared deeply about all of them, giving his life’s work to contributing to their success. He was a man of sound judgment and fairness as well as a catalyst for action. Known for the twinkle in his eye, a welcoming smile, and elegant, jaunty bow ties, Jack would enliven a room by entering it.

The Spring 2010 issue of Dædalus explores the impact of new technologies and evolving patterns of news consumption on American media. Sixteen authors join guest editor Loren Ghiglione, a veteran of almost four decades in journalism and the Richard A. Schwarzlose Professor of Media Ethics at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, in an in-depth look at the revolution occurring in the news media and the future of investigative journalism.

Courts have long called upon experts making scientific claims to inform legal proceedings. As the range of scientific knowledge has expanded, so too have questions and challenges about the role and basis of claims of scientific expertise. For instance, how should courts respond when scientific experts do not agree?

On May 12 and 13, the Academy and Argonne National Laboratory hosted a workshop, “Toward a New Nuclear Regime: The Fuel Cycle of the Future.” International representation from developed and emerging nuclear countries, as well as regional and international organizations, included senior policy officials, eminent scientists and educators, and leaders of the nuclear industry.

The Academy celebrated Seamus Heaney’s birthday by sharing an audio recording of him reading “From the Frontier of Writing” and linking to a compete recording and transcript from his visit to the Academy in 1987.

The Our Common Purpose report was the foundational reading used by Seniors at Westlake Community Services and Senior Center in Ohio for a conversation series on reinventing American Democracy.

Greater attention to consumer attitudes and behavior could speed adoption of alternative energy technologies that would save the United States billions of dollars every year.

A new and timely report, America and the Future of International Science, presents the case for robust U.S. support for and participation in international scientific collaborations.