The U.S. must bolster the competitiveness of its commercial space industry, expand international cooperation, and refocus on basic science in order to hold on to its traditional leadership position in space, according to the authors of a new paper from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

George Packer, in The Atlantic, considers whether America might now repair our broken democracy by entering an era of major reform - including the Academy's recommendations in Our Common Purpose.

The events of the last decade, including the business failures of 2001-2002 and the economic crisis of 2008-2009, have called into question fundamental assumptions regarding the role of business and its relationship to global financial markets, governments, and society as a whole. The American Academy of Arts & Sciences will convene a working conference, cosponsored by the New York University Pollack Center for Law and Business, at the NYU Law School.

New Issue of Journal Dædalus Explores the Global Nuclear Future

American Academy of Arts and Sciences Sponsors International Conference to Prepare for “A More Nuclear World”

Achieving the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons will require the increased engagement of nations that currently do not posses nuclear arms of their own. In a new occasional paper from the Global Nuclear Future initiative, the authors move beyond the traditional cycle of complaints from the “have-nots” and retorts from the “haves” to suggest new ways to realize the shared goal of nuclear disarmament.

A bipartisan commission issues 31 recommendations to strengthen America’s institutions and civic culture to help a nation in crisis emerge with a stronger democracy.

It is with deep sadness that the American Academy of Arts and Sciences notes the passing of business leader, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and dedicated public servant Morton L. Mandel, who received the organization’s Scholar-Patriot Award in 2016.

Throughout the period of social distancing, the Academy has worked to stay connected with members and continue the tradition of convening experts from across disciplines and professions to discuss important issues. As much of the world moved temporarily online, the Academy has leveraged video conferencing technology to hold a series of member events.

Nicholas Lemann, member of the Academy's Commission on the Future of Undergraduate Education, discusses the bigger issue of college completion rates.

Robert Ballard tells the story of his passionate career in ocean exploration and discusses the educational initiatives he has created to engage a new generation of scientists.

On February 6, 2018, Annette Gordon-Reed and Peter S. Onuf participated in a discussion on Jefferson, race, and democracy, drawing from their recent book, “Most Blessed of the Patriarchs”: Thomas Jefferson and the Empire of the Imagination.

Mandel Family Support Now Exceeds $11 Million Overall

National Commission seeks recommendations from leaders in foreign policy, national defense, international diplomacy in preparation for report to Congress.

Over five decades, the Clean Air Act has become a venerable, living institution that has been highly successful in improving the environment around the country. Its success results from its durability and flexibility, two concepts that often seem to be in opposition yet may be essential to establishing successful climate and energy policy.

Essays in the Fall 2009 issue of Dædalus on the global nuclear future examine the interconnected issues of a potential worldwide expansion of civilian nuclear power, attendant risks of weapons proliferation and nuclear terrorism, and the prospects for lessening the impact of climate change through growth in nuclear energy.

On May 15, 2014, at the Academy’s 2008th Stated Meeting, five experts discussed how institutions protect against the threat of nuclear terrorism.

The Academy proposes the formation of a task force to examine the rationale, means, and consequences of achieving universal basic and secondary education (UBASE) -that is, an education of high quality for all the world's children from age 6 to 16. We hope that an ambitious program of action-oriented research will lead to the development of a global plan of action for UBASE and its subsequent implementation.