Institute for Advanced Study

Fingal, An Ancient Epic, published by James Macpherson in 1761

Old and New in the HS-SS Library: Romantic Nationalism and Beyond

In August 2024, the Institute’s Historical Studies - Social Science Library (HS-SS) received a gift that sparked a host of connections to be made between old and new titles in the library’s holdings: a copy of Old English Studies and its Scandinavian Practitioners: Nationalism, Aesthetics, and Spirituality in the Nordic Countries, 1733–2023, sent by its author Robert E. Bjork, Member (2004–05) in the School of Historical Studies.

Video

What Does A Black Hole Actually Look Like?

In this episode of Institute Instances, Lia Medeiros, Visitor in the Institute for Advanced Study's School of Natural Sciences (2023–24), describes how she created a machine learning algorithm to produce new images of the black hole at the center of our galaxy, and how such images can be used to test Albert Einstein's theory of gravity.

idea

Can AI Teach Science?

Motivated by the growing interest in using artificial intelligence for teaching purposes, IAS scholars from the Schools of Mathematics and Natural Sciences have conducted an innovative study to assess the correctness and helpfulness of large language models in STEM education. Their research yielded surprising results, including highlighting the importance of training models on pedagogical conversations rather than textbooks.

IAS News

Derek Bermel Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters

February 28, 2025

Derek Bermel, IAS Artist-in-Residence (2009–13), has been named a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters for “notable achievement” in the field of music. Bermel's time at IAS inspired a number of significant compositions, including “A Short History of the Universe (as related by Nima Arkani-Hamed),” which presents a musical interpretation of gravity.

The New York Times

A Mathematician Who Makes the Best of Things

February 14, 2025

Alessio Figalli, Member in the School of Mathematics, investigates optimal transport, a field with deep theoretical roots and far-reaching applications, including to machine learning. Figalli recently sat down with frequent Director's Visitor Siobhan Roberts for a The New York Times interview about his work, which also touched on the importance of free thinking in research.

IAS News

Prominent Aerial Archaeologist Appointed Member of the Order of Australia

February 13, 2025

David Leslie Kennedy, Member (1986–87, 2004) and frequent Visitor in the School of Historical Studies, was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his "significant service to archaeology as a researcher and academic."

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