Weighing In

What lies ahead for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences? What are the most important qualities for its next dean? Who would be the ideal candidate?...

What lies ahead for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences? What are the most important qualities for its next dean? Who would be the ideal candidate? President Lawrence Summers has invited comment from members of the faculty, students, and staff. Suggestions may be forwarded to fasdeansearch@harvard.edu or sent to the president's office, in Massachusetts Hall.?An advisory group of senior faculty members has also been formed to consult throughout the spring with Summers and Provost Steven Hyman on the search. They are: Jorge Dom'nguez (government, and director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs), Catherine Dulac (molecular and cellular biology), Daniel Fisher (physics), Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Afro-American studies), Stephen Greenblatt (English), Benedict Gross (mathematics), Douglas Melton (molecular and cellular biology), Thomas Scanlon (philosophy), Daniel Schacter (psychology), Maria Tatar (German), Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (history), Sidney Verba (government and director of the Harvard University Library), and Mary Waters (sociology).        

Most popular

Harvard’s Epstein Probe Widened

The University investigates ties to donors, following revelations in newly released files.

U.S. Military to Sever Some Academic Ties with Harvard, Hegseth Says

The defense department will discontinue graduate-level professional programs for active-duty service members.

Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Toasts, Roasts Michael Keaton

The Batman actor was “encouraged as hell” by the students around him during the 2026 Man of the Year festivities.

Explore More From Current Issue

A football player kicking a ball while another teammate holds it on the field.

A Near-Perfect Football Season Ends in Disappointment

A loss to Villanova derails Harvard in the playoffs. 

A girl sits at a desk, flanked by colorful, stylized figures, evoking a whimsical, surreal atmosphere.

The Trouble with Sidechat

No one feels responsible for what happens on Harvard’s anonymous social media app.

Lawrence H. Summers, looking serious while speaking at a podium with a microphone.

Harvard in the News

Grade inflation, Epstein files fallout, University database breach