Dr. Dana Robert elected as member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Dana L. Robert, Truman Collins Professor of World Christianity and History of Mission and Director of the Center for Global Christianity and Mission at the School of Theology, has been elected as a member of the 237th class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as of Wednesday, April 12, 2017. The Academy was founded in 1780 by John Adams and other prominent Harvard College graduates to promote scholarship in the arts and sciences. Other members of this class include philanthropist and singer-songwriter John Legend, and award-winning actress Carol Burnett. Please see the press release below for full information on this outstanding achievement.
This is one of the highest and most prestigious honors that a scholar in the arts and sciences can attain. As one can imagine, Dana herself is “in shock. I can hardly believe it.” She has also graciously offered some background on her groundbreaking work:
“When I was in graduate school, I took an extra doctoral exam in African Christianity so that I could compare Christianity across cultures. I was interested also in the history of Christian mission, which at that time was seen as a completely outdated subject. I wanted to work in what I thought of as “Comparative Christianity.” The framework of “World Christianity” did not exist at the time, and so I was just dreaming. Now, over thirty years later, the field of World Christianity is alive and flourishing. At Boston University School of Theology we founded one of the first Centers for Global Christianity in the United States, and over the years we have produced dozens of young scholars in that field, who are teaching around the world. I am very proud of my association with Boston University, where ahead of the curve, we have helped to shape the field of World Christianity.”
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AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ELECTS 228 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS, ARTISTS, PHILANTHROPISTS, AND BUSINESS LEADERS
The 237th class of members includes philanthropist and singer-songwriter John Legend, award-winning actress Carol Burnett, chairman of the board of Xerox Corporation Ursula Burns, mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, immunologist James P. Allison, and writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
CAMBRIDGE, MA | APRIL 12, 2017 – The American Academy of Arts and Sciences today announced the election of 228 new members. They include some of the world’s most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists, as well as civic, business, and philanthropic leaders.
The list of the 237th class of new members is available at www.amacad.org/members.
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the country’s oldest learned societies and independent policy research centers, convening leaders from the academic, business, and government sectors to respond to the challenges facing—and opportunities available to—the nation and the world. Members contribute to Academy publications and studies in science, engineering, and technology policy; global security and international affairs; the humanities, arts, and education; and American institutions and the public good.
Members of the 2017 class include winners of the Pulitzer Prize and the Wolf Prize; MacArthur Fellows; Fields Medalists; Presidential Medal of Freedom and National Medal of Arts recipients; and Academy Award, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award winners.
“It is an honor to welcome this new class of exceptional women and men as part of our distinguished membership,” said Don Randel, Chair of the Academy’s Board of Directors. “Their talents and expertise will enrich the life of the Academy and strengthen our capacity to spread knowledge and understanding in service to the nation.”
“In a tradition reaching back to the earliest days of our nation, the honor of election to the American Academy is also a call to service,” said Academy President Jonathan F. Fanton. “Through our projects, publications, and events, the Academy provides members with opportunities to make common cause and produce the useful knowledge for which the Academy’s 1780 charter calls.”
The new class will be inducted at a ceremony on October 7, 2017, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the country’s oldest learned societies and independent policy research centers, convening leaders from the academic, business, and government sectors to respond to the challenges facing the nation and the world. Current Academy research focuses on education, the humanities, and the arts; science, engineering, and technology policy; global security and international affairs; and American institutions and the public good. The Academy’s work is advanced by its elected members, who are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs from around the world.
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