Eighteen faculty, affiliates named to 2009 class of AAAS Fellows

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) today (April 20) announced the election of leaders in the sciences, the humanities and the arts, business, public affairs, and the nonprofit sector. The 210 new AAAS Fellows and 19 Foreign Honorary Members join one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies and a center for independent policy research. Included among this field are 17 Harvard faculty members and a Radcliffe Institute Fellow.

The academy, established in 1780 by founders of the nation, undertakes studies of complex and emerging problems. Current projects focus on science, technology, and global security; social policy and American institutions; the humanities and culture; and education. The academy’s membership of scholars and practitioners from many disciplines and professions gives it a unique capacity to conduct a wide range of interdisciplinary, long-term policy research endeavors.

Harvard’s new AAAS inductees include Philippe Aghion, Robert C. Waggoner Professor of Economics; Richard Cavanagh, adjunct lecturer on public policy; Scott Edwards, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and curator of ornithology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology; Paul Farmer, Maude and Lillian Presley Professor of Social Medicine in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine; Benjamin Friedman, William Joseph Maier Professor of Political Economy; James Haber, fellow, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study; Jeffrey Hamburger, Kuno Francke Professor of German Art and Culture; Lene Hau, Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Applied Physics; Guido Imbens, professor of economics; Stein Jacobsen, professor of geochemistry; Jamaica Kincaid, visiting lecturer, African and African American studies and on English and American literature and language; Michael Klarman, Kirkland and Ellis Professor of Law; Carol Mancusi-Ungaro, founding director of Harvard’s Center for the Technical Study of Modern Art; Anjana Rao, professor of pathology; Mark J. Roe, David Berg Professor of Law; Gary Ruvkun, professor of genetics; Steven Shapin, Franklin L. Ford Professor of the History of Science; and Beth Simmons, director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs.

The scholars, scientists, jurists, writers, artists, civic, corporate, and philanthropic leaders come from 28 states and 11 countries and range in age from 33 to 83. They represent universities, museums, national laboratories, private research institutes, businesses, and foundations. This year’s group also includes Nobel laureates and recipients of the Pulitzer and Pritzker prizes; MacArthur fellowships; Academy, Grammy, and Tony awards; and the National Medal of Arts.

“These remarkable men and women have made singular contributions to their fields, and to the world,” said Academy President Emilio Bizzi. “By electing them as members, the academy honors them and their work, and they, in turn, honor us.”

The new class will be inducted at a ceremony on Oct. 10, at the academy’s headquarters in Cambridge, Mass.