SHASS 75th Anniversary Symposium
Since 1950, SHASS has advanced a human-centered approach to research, teaching, and innovation.
The SHASS 75th Anniversary Symposium is a two-day celebration Sept. 24-25, 2026 in the Thomas Tull Concert Hall in MIT’s Edward and Joyce Linde Music Building. The symposium will feature faculty panel thematic sessions, student performances, and alumni talks. Between sessions, attendees will have opportunities for connecting and networking.
The event will conclude with a closing reception and party at the MIT Museum evening of Sept. 25.
Learn more about our history.
Thursday, September 24
9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.: Welcome and introductions
- Welcome video: Sally Kornbluth, President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Anantha Chandrakasan, Provost, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Melissa Nobles, Chancellor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Agustín Rayo, Kenan Sahin Dean, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
- David Kaiser, Germeshausen Professor of the History of Science,
Program in Science, Technology, and Society, and Professor of Physics
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Session 1 – Democratic Participation and Processes (panel discussion)
Panelists:
- Bailey Flanigan, Assistant Professor of Political Science and the Theodore T. Miller (1922) Career Development Assistant Professor of Computer Science
- Rebekah Larsen, Professor, Comparative Media Studies/Writing
- Tanalis Padilla, Professor of History; Leverett Howell Cutten ’07 and William King Cutten ’39 Professorship
- Charles Stewart III, Kenan Sahin (1963) Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Founding Director, MIT Election Data and Science Lab
Moderator
- Brian Hedden PhD ’12, Professor, Department of Linguistics and Philosophy holding an MIT Schwarzman College of Computing shared position with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Coffee break
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Session 2 – Teaching and Learning Innovations (panel discussion)
Panelists:
- Takako Aikawa, Senior Lecturer in Japanese, Global Languages
- Suzanne Berger, Institute Professor, Department of Political Science
- Sara Ellison, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics
- Stephanie Seed, Associate Professor, Literature
- Eric Klopfer, Professor, Comparative Media Studies/Writing; Director, Scheller Teacher Education Program
- Norvin Richards, the Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Linguistics
Moderator
- Will Broadhead, Associate Professor of History
12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.: Lunch (not provided)
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Session 3 – Computing, Self, and Society (panel discussion)
Panelists:
- David Autor, the Daniel (1972) and Gail Rubinfeld Professor; Head, Department of Economics
- Fox Harrell, Professor of Digital Media & AI, Comparative Media Studies/Writing and the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)
- Sendhil Mullainathan, Professor, Department of Economics and the Peter de Florez Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
- Sherry Turkle, the Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology, Program in Science, Technology, and Society
Moderator
- Bernardo Zacka, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science
3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Coffee break
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Session 4 – Performance Showcase
- Rambax prelude, Lamine Touré (faculty) and several advanced Rambax students
- Madrigal, by Keeril Makan, Natalie Lin Douglas (faculty) and her violin students
- Poulenc’s Priez pour paix (Prayer for Peace), Mi-Eun Kim (faculty) and Hyo Sun Park, graduate student soprano soloist
- Excerpts from Carmina Burana, MIT Concert Choir, led by Ryan Turner
- Jazz combo of advanced students, and possibly student and faculty guest vocalists, piece TBD.
- Selection of dance and theater performances
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Reception
01. Thursday, September 24
Friday, September 25
02. Friday, September 25
9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Session 5 – Human and Environmental Health (panel discussion)
Panelists:
- Amy Moran-Thomas, Andrew W. Mellon Associate Professor of Anthropology
- Jacob Moscona, 3M Career Development Assistant Professor of Economics
- Robin Wolfe Scheffler, Associate Professor, Program in Science, Technology, and Society
- Tom Levenson, Professor, Comparative Media Studies/Writing
Moderator
- Amy Finkelstein, John & Jennie S. MacDonald Professor of Economics
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Coffee break
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: SHASS Alumni Lightning Talks
- Marc Aidinoff, PhD ’22; Assistant Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University
- Jessica Coon, PhD ’10; Professor of Linguistics, McGill University
- Eran Egozy ’95, MEng ’95; Professor of the Practice in Music Technology, MIT Music and Theater Arts
- Jonathan Gruber ’87; Ford Professor of Economics, MIT
- Ankita Reddy ’19; MD/PhD student at University of Pennsylvania
12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.: Lunch (not provided)
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Session 7 – Perception, Cognition, Expression (panel discussion)
Panelists:
- Sandy Alexandre, Associate Professor, Literature
- Elise Newman, Assistant Professor, Department of Linguistics and Philosophy
- Justin Khoo, Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics and Philosophy
- Jay Scheib, Class of 1949 Professor, Section Head, Music and Theater Arts
Moderator
- Angela Saini, Assistant Professor, Comparative Media Studies/Writing
