World-class
research
Our distinguished faculty do field-defining work and develop the values, vision, and ethical compass of tomorrow’s leaders. They produce operas alongside research that makes the world a better place.
Without human understanding, there is no understanding. The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences is home to scholars and artists who are doing transformative work in fields that are vital to addressing the world’s most important challenges.
Q&A: A new initiative to help strengthen democracy
David Singer, head of the MIT Department of Political Science, discusses the Strengthening Democracy Initiative, focused on the rigorous study of elections, public opinion, and political participation.
MIT launches new Music Technology and Computation Graduate Program
The program will invite students to investigate new vistas at the intersection of music, computing, and technology.
Learn more about the research of our exceptional faculty.
Empowering systemic racism research at MIT and beyond
MIT political scientist Fotini Christia, who directs the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) and co-leads the Initiative on Combatting Systemic Racism (ICSR), is helping to build an open data repository to advance research on racial inequity in areas like policing, housing, and health care.
How cfDNA testing has changed prenatal care
SHASS offers an wide array of events through our departments, programs, and centers. We’ve featured some upcoming events below. See our events calendar for opportunities to drink tea with luminaries from SHASS fields, hear groundbreaking ideas at a symposium, or attend a film screening.
MIT Symphony Orchestra
Join the MIT Symphony Orchestra for their second concert of the season! Friday, Nov. 22, 8pm @ Kresge Auditorium
MIT Ukraine Innovation Hub Speaker Series
Please join us at the inaugural MIT Ukraine Innovation Hub event, featuring two visiting speakers, Hanna Montavon and Ian Miller. Monday, Nov. 25, 3 pm @ E38, Hacker Reactor
SHASS community spotlight
The SHASS community is made of inspiring students, staff, and faculty. Meet these individuals who have big impacts in the corridors of MIT and beyond.
Latest news from SHASS
Our work has broad impact at MIT and across the globe. Read the latest about new ideas coming out of SHASS.
Making a mark in the nation’s capital
Alumni and founders of MIT Washington Summer Internship Program reflect on three decades of impact.
Curiosity, images, and scientific exploration
Professor of the practice Alan Lightman’s new book digs into the wonder of striking visual phenomena in nature.
Four from MIT named 2025 Rhodes Scholars
Yiming Chen ’24, Wilhem Hector, Anushka Nair, and David Oluigbo will start postgraduate studies at Oxford next fall.