Two Pioneering Rutgers Researchers Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
May 1, 2026
Deborah Gray White and Camilla Townsend are among 252 new members who make up the class of 2026
Two pioneering researchers who gave voice to people and cultures previously excluded from history were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honor societies that was established during the American Revolution.
Historians Camilla Townsend, who tells the stories of indigenous populations in their own language, and Deborah Gray White, known for her groundbreaking research into enslaved women that led to a new category in the Library of Congress, are among 252 leaders in academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research, and science elected this year.
This year’s class, announced as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, includes authors Barbara Kingsolver and Colson Whitehead and actors Jodie Foster and Rita Moreno.
Reposted from Rutgers Today