Full Breakdown
American Academy of Arts & Sciences Welcomes 252 New Members in 2026
4/23/2026, 10:11:45 PM
Overview of the New Membership Class
On April 22, 2026, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences announced the election of 252 new members, recognizing leaders across various fields including academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research, and science. Academy President Laurie Patton highlighted the significance of this induction as a celebration of excellence, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Academy, established in 1780, aims to engage accomplished individuals in addressing societal challenges, reflecting a commitment to democracy and the pursuit of knowledge.
Notable New Members
Among the newly elected members are prominent figures such as:
- Jack Dangermond, Environmental Scientist and GIS Technologist (Esri)
- Jodie Foster, Actor and Filmmaker
- Barbara Kingsolver, Author
- Colson Whitehead, Author
- Agnes Binagwaho, Pediatrician and Politician (Rwanda)
- Ashoke Sen, Theoretical Physicist (India)
- Raúl Zurita, Poet (Chile)
Additionally, four faculty members from Cornell University were recognized: President Michael I. Kotlikoff, and professors Olga Boudker, Cathy Caruth, and Francesca Molinari.
Contributions of Cornell Faculty
Michael I. Kotlikoff, who has served at Cornell for 25 years, expressed that his election is a profound honor, particularly at a pivotal moment for American higher education. His research focuses on cell signaling and heart repair, with a history of continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Olga Boudker, a biochemistry and biophysics expert, investigates the molecular mechanisms of brain communication, while Cathy Caruth is recognized for her foundational work in trauma studies. Francesca Molinari specializes in econometrics, focusing on decision-making under risk and uncertainty.
Significance of the Academy
The American Academy of Arts & Sciences, founded by notable figures such as John Adams and John Hancock, serves as a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration. Its mission emphasizes the importance of knowledge and democracy, which Academy leaders assert is more crucial than ever in contemporary society.
Induction Ceremony and Future Engagement
The induction ceremony for the new members is scheduled for October 2026 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Academy encourages its members to engage in initiatives that advance the common good across various domains, including arts, education, and global affairs.
Official Statements
Laurie Patton remarked, “We celebrate the achievement of each new member and the collective breadth and depth of their excellence.” She emphasized the Academy's ongoing commitment to fostering knowledge and democracy, stating, “Our nonpartisan and interdisciplinary commitment to knowledge and democracy began in 1780 and continues in 2026.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Being elected to the academy is a profound honor, and one that carries particular meaning for me at this critical moment for American higher education,” — Michael I. Kotlikoff, President of Cornell University
- “As a musician in my earliest years of education, I am especially mindful of the bridge that the Academy has long created between the arts, humanities and sciences, a unity that to me is the strongest link to creativity and the joy of learning.” — Joseph Bass, Professor at Northwestern University
This new class of members joins a prestigious lineage that includes historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr., reinforcing the Academy's role in recognizing and promoting excellence across disciplines.
