Future of the Academy

ACLS has a long history of convening scholars, administrators, learned society directors, leaders of national and international academies, and public figures to share ideas and solve problems. As outlined in our Strategic Priorities, ACLS seeks action on major challenges facing humanistic studies and continues to expand our capacity to serve as a key resource for societies, scholars, and administrators, with a focus on students and scholars who have not historically had a seat at the table in discussions about institutional change.

Situated in the middle of the flows of ideas and people across the higher education landscape, ACLS works to advance what we call the “new academy”—where a vibrantly curious, diverse professoriate can pursue scholarly inquiry with creativity and a sense of wonder; where collaboration and mentorship are valued; and where faculty are rewarded for their efforts to connect with an emerging generation burdened by financial worries and the pandemic. Through higher education initiatives designed to accelerate institutional change by improving practices and processes that were designed in and for a different age, we hope to encourage creativity and experimentation, recognize the full range of scholars’ work, and recruit and retain a more diverse community of scholars.

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Explore ACLS initiatives designed to accelerate changes in higher education that will benefit us all in the present and the future.

Intentional Design for an Equitable Academy

ACLS department focused on re-envisioning academia’s culture, policies, and practices

Commission on Fostering and Sustaining Diverse Digital Scholarship

Leading practitioners share recommendations to improve support, access, and sustainability of digital humanities projects related to social and racial justice

Building Blocks for A New Academy

A community for sharing and uplifting the work of creating more just, humane, and innovative colleges and universities