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New York Times obituary writer and Cornell College of Arts and Sciences alumnus Sam Roberts explores obituary journalism in his new memoir, Are They Dead Yet?. As a piece on the Cornellians website explains, the book examines how notable lives are chronicled and reflects on the enduring value of life stories.
A flood at the Nepal-Tibet border is testing regional cooperation, says Allen Carlson, a government professor in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences. The disaster raises questions about China’s transparency, long-term relief role in Nepal, and the future geopolitical dynamics of the Himalayan region.
Graduate students connected to Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences departments — history, linguistics, Asian studies, history of art and visual studies, government, comparative iiterature, Romance studies and music —have received Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies East Asia Program fellowships and grants for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Cornell’s Freedom Party returns Sept. 19 with live music, free books, social service resources and food. Organized by the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures, and the Africana Studies & Research Center in the College of Arts and Sciences, the event promotes community connection and academic freedom.
Season 2 of Cornell's Research Matters podcast launches Aug. 25 with 18 episodes on how academic discoveries translate into practical insights that shape everyday life and society. Cornell College of Arts and Sciences faculty from astronomy, government, physics and psychology will be featured in the new season.
In a USA Today op-ed, Isabel Perera of Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences argues that America’s mental health care shortage stems partly from weak political power among providers. Stronger unions could help expand access and strengthen the mental health workforce, she writes.
Cornell’s "Democracy Dialogues" podcast marks America’s 250th anniversary with a new series featuring Cornell deans exploring democracy’s legacy, challenges and future.
Cornell University’s Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures funded seven 2026 Graduate Student Research projects across multiple disciplines. The awards provide research support for emerging scholars advancing racial justice, inequality, labor, identity and social change studies.
The latest Entrepreneurship at Cornell podcast features Tabs cofounders Ali Hussain, an alum of Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences, and Deepak Bapat discussing AI-powered finance software. The episode highlights entrepreneurship, B2B accounting innovation, and founders’ connections to the Cornell startup community.
As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, courses across Cornell educate students about democracy. Cornell's College of Arts & Sciences programs teach civil discourse, data-driven policymaking, and First Amendment advocacy to prepare students to defend democracy.
The School of Criticism and Theory at Cornell University, a six-week summer program that serves as a hub for interdisciplinary inquiry in the humanities and social sciences, celebrated its 50th anniversary with events June 16-17.
From the early days of Cornell’s founding to the present, scholars have studied the idea and the practice of democracy.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit North Korea soon after hosting American and Russian presidents, signaling push for global influence, says Cornell College of Arts & Sciences professor Allen Carlson, who ties the outreach to domestic economic strain in China.
“Polarization and Democracy in Latin America: Legacies of the Left Turn," co-authored by Cornell College of Arts and Sciences professor Kenneth Roberts, examines how inequality, elite strategy and democratic failures have fueled political polarization and challenged democracy across Latin America.
Cornell University launched the Cornell Center on Democracy to strengthen democratic institutions through research, education and public engagement. The initiative convenes scholars to address disinformation, polarization, governance and civic engagement challenges globally.
Cornell College of Arts and Sciences professor Isabel M. Perera won the Charles H. Levine Memorial Book Prize and the 2026 European Studies Book Award for “The Welfare Workforce.” Her book examines disparities in mental health care policy.
Cornell University honored 31 Merrill Presidential Scholars May 19, recognizing academic excellence and mentorship. College of Arts and Sciences senior Carolina Aguilera-Garza and peers celebrated influential teachers and Cornell mentors shaping leadership, scholarship, and public impact.
Since the Cornell in Washington program launched in 1980, about 4,400 Cornellians have taken part in immersive lessons in the nation’s capital. Alumni have become U.S. representatives, federal judges, agency leaders and political journalists.
A federal jury has sided with OpenAI in a court battle with Elon Musk, and the trial outcome leaves questions and debates unresolved, says Cornell College of Arts and Sciences government scholar Sarah Kreps.
During the rebuilding of McGraw Hall, workers have made several discoveries, and faculty are reusing and studying materials from the building in the classroom. Built in 1872, McGraw Hall is one of Cornell University's oldest buildings and home to College of Arts and Sciences departments of anthropology and history and the archaeology program.
Looking ahead to the May 14-15 Trump-Xi Beijing summit, professor Allen Carlson of Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences says domestic pressures on both leaders favor symbolic wins over substantive agreements. The meeting highlights limited prospects for breakthroughs on trade, technology, and geopolitics.
Anees Mitri is majoring in government and Near Eastern studies.
Samara Schiffman is majoring in Jewish studies, government and American studies.
Christina MacCorkle is majoring in government and history and is a Robert S. Harrison College Scholar.
Overseeing AI models is harder than it looks, Sarah Kreps, tech policy scholar in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences says as the Trump administration considers oversight of AI models. National security threats exist, Kreps cautions, while government vetting risks politicization and obsolescence.
In new research, Peter Enns, professor of government in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences and in the Brooks School of Public Policy, uses statistical analysis to contradict a widespread conclusion first published by Martin Gilens that U.S. government policy disregards the preferences of the median voter.
America Casanova is majoring in English, American Studies, Government and History
Annina Bradley majored in government and French.
Keaten Wright is majoring in government, philosophy and feminist, gender & sexuality studies
Elsie Ishami Muhirwa is majoring in government and American studies.
Leo Glasgow is majoring in government and China & Asia-Pacific Studies.
Seniors in the Humanities Scholars Program (HSP) in the College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell University will showcase their research at an all-day conference May 1 at the A.D. White House. Their work spans across humanities fields and also highlights intersections with science, technology, business, law and other disciplines.
A Cornell student talks about the benefits of joining pre-professional clubs, which range from business clubs, pre-law organizations, pre-med fraternities, and groups that work toward equitable professional environments for all.
Zilala Mamat ’26, government major in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences, is among three recipients of 2026 Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Awards from the Einhorn Center for Community Engagement. Mamat advocates for Uyghurs and will develop a digital archive.
In its April 2026 round-up of new books, the Cornellians website features titles by College of Arts and Sciences alumni, including a mystery novel, a book for kids about loss and a peek into the hidden lives of lab animals.
The College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell University will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Cornell Levinson Program in China and Asia-Pacific Studies – and a new faculty director for the program — at an April 24 symposium on the Ithaca campus.
As ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel prepare to join U.S.- brokered negotiations in Washington, D.C., Averell Schmidt, professor of government in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences, says a key is that talks are even happening. The U.S. has a strong interest in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, she says.
Cornell University alumnus Fred Rubinstein ’52, LLB ’55 endowed a government professorship to strengthen civic engagement. The Susan August Rubinstein Professorship honors his late wife while supporting teaching and public participation in the College of Arts & Sciences.
An anniversary gala will mark the Cornell Black Alumni Association’s 50th anniversary April 24-26 in Washington, D.C. Hosted by alumni of Cornell University, the event honors leading alumni and launches a $1.5 million legacy fund.
Hungary’s growing rift with the EU, at issue in April 12 parliamentary elections, reflects Viktor Orbán’s strategy more than voter sentiment, says Cornell University government professor Bryn Rosenfeld. She says Hungarian Euroskepticism followed Orbán’s attacks on Brussels.
As Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun visits China urging reconciliation, the U.S. and China dominate real cross-strait decisions, says Cornell University government scholar Allen Carlson. He calls the Kuomintang trip “political theater,” with Washington and Beijing holding Taiwan’s future.
Cornell’s College of Arts & Sciences hosts a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary “I Am Ready, Warden” on April 23, 5 p.m. The film’s co-producer, journalist Keri Blakinger ’14, and faculty experts will discuss death penalty impacts.
The first phase of Cornell University’s upcoming reaccreditation process with Middle States Commission on Higher Education is underway, with the naming of a steering committee that includes several College of Arts and Sciences faculty members and an invitation to the community to provide input.
Student Ambassador Alexandra Hui, Class of 2029, describes finding mentorship and belonging in Cornell Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra.
A Cornell symposium examined generative AI’s impact on science, bringing experts together to debate productivity, governance, equity and public trust at Cornell University. The College of Arts & Sciences co-sponsored the event and college dean Peter Loewen participated.
Emotional posts rarely persuade online audiences, Cornell University research finds. Experiments by College of Arts & Sciences scholar Talbot Andrews and collaborators revealed that news and social media audiences view emotional climate change messages as inauthentic, even among allies.
Cornell admits the Class of 2030 emphasizing real-world impact, enrolling 5,776 students from 102 countries. At Cornell University, the diverse cohort reflects the land-grant mission and applied learning goals across multiple colleges.
Cornell University Humanities Scholars traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for increased National Endowment for the Humanities and National Archives funding, meeting with congressional offices to highlight the impact of humanities programs on education. Their two‑day trip underscored how federal support strengthens community partnerships, language programs, and public humanities initiatives benefiting campuses and local organizations…