Nine IAS Scholars Named in 101st Class of Guggenheim Fellows
On April 14, seven former and two incoming Institute scholars were appointed as 2026 Guggenheim Fellows.
A unique characteristic of the fellowship program is the range of disciplines that it chooses to recognize, united by emphasis on “trailblazing” thinking. The Institute regularly counts many of its own among those appointed. The consistent overlap between Guggenheim Fellows and IAS scholars is a testament to a shared commitment to truly boundary-pushing research.
The School of Historical Studies was honored widely this year: the Guggenheim Foundation named an anthropologist, a historian of the Near East, a musicologist, an early Medievalist, and an Iranian specialist who have all spent time working and writing at the School. These are Anya Bernstein, Edwin C. and Elizabeth A. Whitehead Member (2025); Adam Mestyan, Patricia Crone Member (2024); Andrew Sartori, Willis F. Doney Member (2019); Rudolph Matthee, Agnes Gund and Daniel Shapiro Member (2017); and W. Anthony Sheppard, Edward T. Cone Member in Music Studies (2011–12). In addition, the School will welcome Elizabeth C. Mansfield, an art historian and Christian McMillen, who specializes in the history of epidemic disease, of the 101st Guggenheim class to campus in the fall. The Foundation’s recognition of these historians highlights the many historical subspecialities represented in the School.
From the School of Natural Sciences, theoretical physicist David Kosower, Member (2015–16), was named. His interests include scattering amplitudes and their applications to collider physics and gravitational waves.
From the School of Mathematical Sciences, Aaron Pollack, Schmidt Fellow (2017–18), who is set to return to the Institute for the 2026–27 academic year, was honored with a fellowship. Pollack works in algebraic number theory, researching questions about the L-functions of automorphic forms.
This honor recognizes individuals for both prior achievements and future potential. Moreover, the citation describes, “fellows' projects grapple with timeless themes and timely issues.”
“They explore the promise and perils of artificial intelligence, propose life-changing advancements in medical technology, unearth the historical roots of contemporary crises, and forge new directions in artistic expression.”
Read more about the 2026 Fellows on the Guggenheim Fellowship website.
