Yale University has announced the appointment of Sunil Amrith as the new Henry R. Luce Director of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies.

A distinguished historian specializing in human migration and global environmental history, Amrith brings a wealth of experience and a strong interdisciplinary approach to his new role.

A Scholar of Global Influence

Sunil Amrith currently serves as the Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and a professor at the Yale School of the Environment.

Since joining Yale in 2020, he has chaired the Council on South Asian Studies, spearheading faculty and student research initiatives while strengthening Yale’s global engagement in South Asia.

Before joining Yale, Amrith held a faculty position at Harvard University, where he co-directed the Joint Center for History and Economics and served as interim director of the Mahindra Humanities Center.

His scholarship has been widely recognized, with numerous publications, including his latest book, The Burning Earth: A History, which was featured as one of The New Yorker’s “Essential Reads of 2024” and is being translated into ten languages.

Amrith’s research spans the intersections of environmental history, migration, and economic transformations, focusing particularly on South and Southeast Asia.

His work illuminates how human movement and ecological change have shaped societies over centuries, making his expertise particularly relevant in today’s era of climate challenges and global displacement.

A Vision for the MacMillan Center

As director, Amrith will oversee one of Yale’s premier institutions for international and area studies.

The MacMillan Center, established in the 1960s as the Concilium on International and Area Studies, serves as a vital resource for fostering interdisciplinary research, global partnerships, and scholarship that transcends national and regional boundaries. 

Through its various councils, global programs, fellowships, and teaching initiatives, the center plays a pivotal role in connecting Yale to international discourse and research.

Provost Scott Strobel, who announced the appointment, highlighted Amrith’s commitment to strategic leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“Since arriving at Yale, Professor Amrith has contributed important perspectives and guidance on strategic priorities and policy issues,” Strobel said.

“He will ensure existing programming at MacMillan thrives while creating new synergies and collaborations between Yale’s schools, bringing humanists, social scientists, and experts from across the university together.”

Amrith himself expressed his enthusiasm for the role, calling the appointment an “honor and a privilege.”

He emphasized his commitment to advancing the center’s mission and expanding its impact within and beyond Yale.

“The center was a big part of what brought me to Yale, and I have never ceased to be amazed by the breadth and depth of excellent scholarship that it nourishes,” he said. 

“I look forward to working with the center’s outstanding staff and faculty to carry forward its mission of being a hub for international scholarship serving all of Yale, infusing global perspectives into everything we do on campus and out in the world.”

Building on a Legacy of Leadership

Amrith takes over the directorship from Steven Wilkinson, who has served as the interim director of the MacMillan Center and will now transition to his new role as FAS dean.

Strobel expressed gratitude to Wilkinson for his leadership and to the search committee, led by Kenneth Scheve, for their thorough selection process.

The search committee included key members of Yale’s leadership, such as Pericles Lewis, dean of Yale College; Marc Robinson, dean of humanities for FAS; and Megan Ranney, dean of Yale School of Public Health.

Their efforts, alongside insights from the MacMillan community, led to the selection of Amrith, a scholar whose dedication to regional studies and interdisciplinary collaboration will help shape the future of the center.

A Distinguished Career and Accomplishments

Amrith’s appointment comes on the heels of a series of prestigious accolades that underscore his contributions to academia.

He was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship in 2017, recognizing his groundbreaking research in environmental and migration history.

In 2022, he received the Dr. A.H. Heineken Prize for History, one of the world’s most prestigious academic honors.

More recently, in 2024, he was honored with the Fukuoka Academic Prize, and in 2023, he was elected an International Fellow of the British Academy.

 Beyond his academic research, Amrith has been an integral part of strategic initiatives at Yale.

As a member of the Yale Planetary Solutions Steering Committee, he played a crucial role in shaping interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges.

He has also served on the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid (CAFA) and the Humanities Tenure Appointments and Promotions Committee (HTAC), further demonstrating his commitment to academic governance and mentorship.

Looking Ahead

With Amrith at the helm, the MacMillan Center is poised to deepen its role as a global academic powerhouse.

His vision includes strengthening international research collaborations, expanding opportunities for students and faculty, and fostering discussions on critical global issues ranging from climate change to geopolitical transformations.

His leadership is expected to further integrate international perspectives across Yale’s academic landscape, ensuring that the university remains at the forefront of global scholarship.

As he prepares to assume his new role on March 1, Amrith’s appointment signals a new era of innovation and interdisciplinary engagement for the MacMillan Center. 

His expertise and commitment to global scholarship promise to enhance Yale’s reputation as a leader in international and area studies, further bridging the university with the world’s pressing challenges and opportunities.