American Academy announces fellows
20 Apr 09
Two Oxford academics have been elected to join one of America’s most prestigious honorary societies and centre for independent policy research.
The American Academy of Arts & Sciences today announced its election of 210 new Fellows and 19 Foreign Honorary Members who represent the sciences, humanities, arts, business, public affairs, and nonprofit sectors.
John (Jas) Elsner, Humfry Payne Senior Research Fellow in Classical Art and Archaeology and director of the Centre for Greek and Roman Antiquity at Corpus Christi College and H. Charles Godfray, Hope Professor of Entomology have been chosen from Oxford.
The scholars, scientists, jurists, writers, artists, civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders come from 11 countries and range in age from 33 to 83. They represent universities, museums, 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.
Both Professor Godfray and Dr Elsner said they were 'amazed and delighted' at receiving the news.
The new class will be inducted at a ceremony on October 10, at the Academy’s headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Leslie BerlowitzSince 1780, the Academy has served the public good by convening leading thinkers and doers from diverse perspectives to provide practical policy solutions to the pressing issues of the day.
The Academy, established in 1780, 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.
‘Since 1780, the Academy has served the public good by convening leading thinkers and doers from diverse perspectives to provide practical policy solutions to the pressing issues of the day,’ said Leslie Berlowitz, chief executive officer and William T. Golden Chair. ‘I look forward to welcoming into the Academy these new members to help continue that tradition.’
Scientists among the new Fellows include: co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology Mario Capecchi, recognized for his contributions to gene targeting; physicist Lene Hau, whose experimental work succeeded in stopping a beam of light and pathologist Peter Nowell, who revolutionized understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and astronomer Eric Becklin, whose pioneering infrared observations led to the first glimpse of the nucleus of the Milky Way.
In the humanities and arts, new members include: biographer Robert Caro; author Thomas Pynchon; actors Dustin Hoffman and James Earl Jones; messo-soprano Marilyn Horne and singer/songwriter Emmylou Harris.
The Academy elected 19 Foreign Honorary Members from Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, and Israel. They include: 1993 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela, U2 lead singer and advocate for humanitarian causes, Bono and British actress Judi Dench. Since its founding the Academy has elected as members the finest minds and most influential leaders from each generation, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin in the eighteenth century, Daniel Webster and Ralph Waldo Emerson in the nineteenth, and Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill in the twentieth.
The current membership includes more than 250 Nobel laureates and more than 60 Pulitzer Prize winners.