Sunil Amrith, a renowned professor of History and chair of the South Asian Studies Council, is set to take over as the new director of the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University. Starting March 1, 2025, Amrith will succeed Steven Wilkinson, who led the center since 2019. Wilkinson recently transitioned to a new role as the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Yale, where he will continue to serve as the interim director through February 2025.
The MacMillan Center, a prominent institution at Yale, is dedicated to fostering global perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches across various disciplines on campus. Under the leadership of Amrith, the center is expected to deepen its commitment to international studies while addressing critical global issues, including climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), as reported by the Yale News.
Amrith’s vision for the MacMillan Center
Amrith’s academic background, including his tenure at institutions like the University of London, Harvard University, and his more recent work at Yale since 2020, aligns closely with the mission of the MacMillan Center. In his new role, Amrith intends to further Yale’s international academic collaborations, particularly by emphasizing interdisciplinary work. “The culture of MacMillan is familiar to me. The way things work is familiar to me,” Amrith said, reflecting on his previous role as the chair of the South Asian Studies Council. This familiarity, coupled with his extensive academic relationships with institutions in South Asia, positions him to build stronger connections with peer institutions globally, as quoted by the Yale News.
One of the central aspects of Amrith’s leadership will be strengthening the MacMillan Center’s collaborations across Yale’s various schools, including humanists, social scientists, and experts in global studies. Provost Scott Strobel praised Amrith for his dedication to regional studies and openness to new interdisciplinary approaches. He emphasized Amrith’s role in creating synergies between different departments to address complex global challenges, as reported by the Yale Daily News.
Focus on global challenges: climate change and AI
In addition to fostering academic collaboration, Amrith plans to focus on urgent global issues. His recent work on climate change, including his book The Burning Earth: A History, positions him as a leading figure in addressing environmental transformations. His involvement in the Yale Planetary Solutions Steering Committee and its recent report on climate change highlights his commitment to sustainable development. Amrith also expressed interest in exploring the implications of AI on global society, acknowledging the importance of a global perspective in these fields.
Looking ahead at MacMillan Center’s role in global dialogue
As tensions and divisions grow across the world, Amrith sees the MacMillan Center as a crucial institution for fostering international dialogue. He intends to utilize the center’s global relationships and resources to bridge divides and encourage cross-cultural conversations. “We live in a time of such division, conflict, and tension. I think the MacMillan Center is in a position to use its good relationships with institutions around the world and its infrastructure to try to facilitate dialogue as much as possible,” Amrith remarked, as quoted by the Yale Daily News.
With his vast academic experience and commitment to fostering international collaboration, Amrith’s leadership marks a new chapter for the MacMillan Center as it continues to promote a global perspective at Yale.
