---

MAKING A JUST SOCIETY
 

Heather Paxson, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Anthropology, and Program Head; photo by Allegra Boverman  

"As a meaning-making practice, 'culture' is viewed by anthropologists as a way of making sense of, adapting to — and, sometimes, resisting — economic, political, and other structural conditions."
_____________________________________________

ANTHROPOLOGY
Culture is a meaning-making practice | Heather Paxson
"Anthropologists originated the modern understanding of 'culture,' as describing a shared field of beliefs, values, and habituated ways of behaving that give meaning to daily life. What light can anthropology shed on MIT culture?
Commentary

KNIGHT SCIENCE JOURNALISM AT MIT
How poverty and discrimination drive disease | KSJ alumnus Amy Maxmen
Maxmen addresses the role of social inequalities in fueling the Covid-19 pandemic. Will the pandemic push science to fully recognize these ‘social determinants of health'?
Story at Nature + The Latest: All of Undark's journalism in one place
 

Agricultural workers in CA died 40% more often than the general population in 2020. Photo: Brian Frank, Nature
 

---

IN MEMORIAM

Leo Marx, c. 1960s; 25th anniversary eidition cover of The Machine in the Garden"

"This book was out in front. It’s about environment and technology before those two words became defining words of the history of science and technology."

— Rosalind Williams, Bern Dibner Professor of the History of Science and Technology, Emerita

---

A LIVABLE FUTURE
 

 

MIT CLIMATE GRAND CHALLENGES
MIT announces five flagship Climate Grand Challenges projects
The portfolio of multiyear projects focuses on delivering breakthrough solutions. SHASS engagement on finalist and flagship teams includes faculty from Comparative Media Studies, Economics/J-PAL, Philosophy, and Political Science.
Learn more: CGC flagships, finalists, and SHASS engagement

EARTH WEEK EVENTS | MIT HISTORY, ANTHROPOLOGY, AND STS
Living Climate Futures | Symposium + Events, April 22-23
An approach to climate led by research that centers community needs/priorities. Meet front-line climate and environmental justice activists from across the country.
About the Symposium + Register
 

---

WAR IN UKRAINE

 

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES | SECURITY STUDIES PROGRAM
Clearinghouse:  analysis + research on the war in Ukraine
The implications and consequences of the Russian assault on Ukraine will be felt for years, particularly in Europe but also in US-Russia relations. CIS will be closely involved via analysis, advice, and informing the public with regular updates.
Clearinghouse: Analysis +  Research 
Wider Implications of the War: Video
MIT historian Elizabeth Wood on understanding the war: Story | Video | The ghosts of history

MUSIC
Classical music’s iron curtain | Emily Richmond Pollock
Pollock, an associate professor of musicology, discusses cancellations of performances by Russian artists following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Commentary in The New Yorker
 

---

CLASSES AND STUDENTS

 

Sana Aiyar, Associate Professor of History; photo by Allegra Boverman

Aiyar's class introduces MIT students to historical research while shedding light on the experience of South Asian MIT students and faculty from across the world.
_______________________________________________

HISTORY
In 21H.S04, students delve into the South Asian experience at MIT
In this "history lab" class, MIT students get to be historians for a semester. Led by associate professor Sana Aiyar, the students delve into S. Asian experiences at MIT by conducting oral histories and discovering primary materials in the Institute Archives/Distinctive Collections.
Story

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES | MISTI PROGRAM
The future of international education
MISTI faculty director Evan Lieberman discusses the crucial role of international education for global solutions.The future of international education  
Story
 

---

CALL FOR ALUMNI STORIES 

The Dean’s Office communications team is always eager to learn about MIT alumni with a SHASS major or minor degree to highlight on Slice of MIT and other Institute channels. We're also keen to learn about MIT STEM alumni whose education in the humanistic fields has had an especially significant influence on their lives and careers. Have you taught or mentored a student with an compelling post-graduation story? Media Relations Manager Stephen Oakes (oakes@mit.edu) would like to hear from you.
 

---

EXPLORE
 

Follow us

              

 

Subscribe to Said and Done 
10 issues a year

Media + Awards Digest
Current coverage

Making a Better World
Browse our research sectors

21st Century Democracy
Browse

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Browse

Meet the MIT Bilinguals
MIT students who earn degrees in both humanistic and sci/tech fields
Browse the Gallery

Making a Just Society
Explore the Resources

Solving Climate: Humanistic Perspectives
Browse

Perspectives for the Pandemic
Explore

Ethics, Computing, and AI: Perspectives from MIT
Series

Computing and AI: Humanistic Perspectives from MIT
Series

MIT Climate website
A major source of research, innovation, and discussion
Join us!

SHASS on MIT News
Research and Features

MIT Campaign for a Better World 
Story | Join Us

  

Published by SHASS Communications
Office of the Dean, MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Editor and Designer: Emily Hiestand
Publication Associate: Alison Lanier
Published 14 April 2022