Highlights Include Readings by Academy Award-winning Actor Sally Field and Emmy Award-winning Filmmaker Ken Burns and a Performance by Internationally Renowned Jazz Musician Herbie Hancock

Danielle Allen, co-chair of the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship, spoke with PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff about the Our Common Purpose report and why she feels hopeful about the future of American democracy.

Working with the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), the Academy convened college and university presidents and leaders of scholarly societies. Together, they developed and supported a unified defense of learning and higher education. More than 650 leaders signed the statement on behalf of their students, faculty, staff, and communities.

John Kaag describes his time as a Visiting Scholar at the Academy (2007-2008).

As we reach the end of a year like no other, I hope this message finds you well and safe. As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of the Academy’s work. Our staff has been working remotely since the middle of March 2020 and will continue to do so until at least July 2021. We have had to adapt quickly to a year in which we have become a truly “virtual” community. And yet, this was a year that also demonstrated the enduring strength of that community.

Research funding is not unlike food production; it is not the amount, but the distribution of research funds that matters.

William Henry Pickering, a Member of the Academy and an instructor of physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, photographed a total eclipse of the sun...

In my previous message, I discussed how – despite the challenges of the pandemic – our community of members has remained active and engaged in the life of the Academy. During the past year, our virtual events reached more audiences in more places than ever before. Our project work continued unabated, including the release of Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century and the development of new major projects on climate change and inequality. And despite great uncertainty, our members came together to produce a record-breaking fundraising year.

Eric Liu spoke with NPR's A. Martinez about solutions to America’s isolation problem.

Guest essay in the New York Times by Katherine J. Cramer and Jonathan D. Cohen shares insights from the Academy's Commission on Reimagining Our Economy to help explain the disconnect between positive standard economic indicators and the negative views Americans have of the economy.

Corruption can be ruinous, destroying nations, institutions, communities, individuals, the environment, and the very notion of public trust. Corruption self-reinforces, respects no law or border, and reproduces like disease. The Summer 2018 issue of Dædalus features fifteen essays exploring the nature of modern global corruption—and how to defeat it.

Clear and precise communication is more crucial than ever before to the health and security of every nation. Four academies have joined together with the American Academy to sign a document in support of language education.

An article and embedded video exploring what the Commission on Reimagining Our Economy learned from listening sessions in Indian Country, which Commission recommendations would have the greatest impact on tribal nations, and the unique economic challenges and opportunities facing Indian Country.