Arts And Science

See how these Chancellor Faculty Fellows are leading on campus and beyond. Read More

To Dudley Brown White, BS’53, Vanderbilt was far more than an alma mater—it was woven into her family’s generational history. While her legacy is defined by four decades of quiet generosity, leadership and distinguished service, her bond with the university began long before she set foot on campus as a student. She died on Oct. 16, 2026, and Vanderbilt recognizes her extraordinary lifetime of devotion and the rich family history she carried forward.   Read More

Many have voiced concerns that artificial intelligence will take jobs away from humans. But Assistant Professor of Chemistry Zhongyue (John) Yang, along with his former doctoral student Qianzhen Shao (now a postdoc at Stanford) and other team members, have created an AI tool that aims to elevate the work that scientists do—not replace them. Read More

With a transformative gift to College of Arts and Science and Vandy United, alumni Meredith and Griffin Perry honor Vanderbilt’s mission of excellence. Read More

Brooke Ackerly, professor of political science, has received a Volkswagen Foundation Transatlantic Bridge Professorship at the University of Hamburg for the next three years. She is the first Vanderbilt faculty member to receive this award. Read More

Learn about some breakthrough research centers led by Chancellor Faculty Fellows. Read More

Today’s biggest pressing and complex challenges are most effectively addressed through interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives. The Collaborative Humanities Postdoctoral Program fully embodies that approach, bringing together early-career scholars to address important contemporary issues through a critical humanities lens. For the past five years, the program has offered a deeply supportive community for postdoctoral scholars from leading graduate programs nationwide, preparing them to change the future of humanistic study in their respective fields. Read More

Ready for some inspiring truth bombs? Meet Vanderbilt's newest faculty as they share their best advice. Read More

After more than a decade of erosion, support for democracy has stopped falling and begun a modest but widespread recovery across the Americas. The findings are detailed in the 2026 Pulse of Democracy, released today by Vanderbilt University’s Center for Global Democracy and the Kellogg Institute, part of the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs. Read More

Meet some of our inspiring new faculty and hear the reasons they wanted to join the Vanderbilt community. Read More

Get to know some of our newest faculty as they explain what excites them about their transformative work and the positive impact it can have on society. Read More

Norman Henry Tolk, professor emeritus of physics and scientific entrepreneur who fostered interdisciplinary collaboration while elevating physics research at Vanderbilt, died on June 19, 2026. Tolk was 88 years old and lived in Brentwood, Tenn. Read More

This fall, the College of Arts and Science is enhancing its degree offerings with three new majors and one new minor. The college is also restructuring some academic units to leverage teaching and scholarly strengths and provide more opportunities for students and faculty. Read More

The Program in Climate and Environmental Studies has launched several key initiatives this fall, including a new curriculum infused with interdisciplinary and experiential learning, to better equip students for the ongoing work to reverse climate change and environmental degradation. The program’s priorities include increased opportunities for community engagement and meaningful student internships. Read More

Local middle school and high school students have the opportunity to learn math in a creative and engaging way from leading Vanderbilt faculty through the Nashville Math Circle. Students learn creative math problem-solving skills in a friendly, fun environment from Department of Mathematics faculty, free of cost. Read More

Creating a shared academic experience for students. Equipping students with the fundamental capacities to succeed in today’s world. Strengthening faculty collaboration across disciplines. These are among the many goals that the A&S College Core, the College of Arts and Science’s general education curriculum, accomplished in its first year. Read More

Undergraduate students from any school or college at Vanderbilt can apply to the Vanderbilt University–New York City program if they meet the requirements. The programs are offered by the College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, and Peabody’s Human and Organizational Development program. Blair School of Music students can also pursue internships while exploring the arts in New York City through these programs. Read More

Looking for new ways to embrace uncertainty and jump into new chapters in your life? Listen to this special summer remix of the Quantum Potential podcast as acclaimed poet Major Jackson explains how poetry can help! Read More

Dilemma, by Jane Huffman, has been selected as the 2026 winner of the Vanderbilt University Literary Prize. The prize, which is awarded to the sole author of a full-length poetry collection, reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to discovering new voices and supporting the arts as transformative and essential to society. The recognition includes the publication of the winning manuscript in print, electronic and audio formats by Vanderbilt University Press, a $10,000 honorarium, an invitation to read in the esteemed Gertrude C. and Harold S. Vanderbilt Reading Series at Vanderbilt University and a one-week residency on campus to engage students and local writers in the Nashville community. Read More

Dr. Charles Allen Brau, a distinguished physicist, educator, and researcher, passed away on June 7, 2026, surrounded by family. He devoted his life to family, education, and expanding the frontiers of physics and its application. Read More