School Notes: Faculty of Arts & Sciences
May/June 2025

Experimental psychologist wins prestigious research award

Nick Turk-Browne ’09PhD, professor of psychology and director of Yale’s Wu Tsai Institute, was awarded the National Academy of Sciences’ Troland Research Award in April. The award recognized Turk-Browne’s “pioneering contributions advancing our understanding of learning and memory in the human brain.” Accompanied by a $75,000 award to support further research, Turk-Browne said that the award was a “very gratifying recognition” of the work of his entire lab. Turk-Browne is the third Yale faculty member to have won the award, joining Karen Wynn, professor emeritus of psychology (2001), and Marvin Chun, Richard M. Colgate Professor of Psychology (2006). 

Journalist, editor share writing advice

How can academics share their findings with broader audiences? Sarah Stillman ’06, ’06MA—investigative journalist, staff writer for the New Yorker magazine, and lecturer in English—recently discussed narrative tools for public writing with colleagues in the FAS. While Stillman shared strategies for turning academic work into compelling essays and journalism, Meghan O’Rourke ’97—professor in the practice of English and editor of the Yale Review—presented another workshop that helped faculty understand what magazine and opinion editors want from writers. Stillman and O’Rourke spoke as part of a public writing workshop series hosted by the FAS dean’s ongoing Scholars as Leaders; Scholars as Learners program. 

Historian named director of MacMillan Center

Sunil Amrith, Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History, has been named Henry R. Luce Director of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale. Amrith, also a professor at the Yale School of the Environment, said the appointment was an “honor and a privilege” and that he has “never ceased to be amazed by the breadth and depth of excellent scholarship” the MacMillan Center fosters. Amrith previously served as chair of MacMillan’s Council on South Asian Studies, helping amplify its reputation for globally recognized scholarship. Amrith’s own research explores global environmental history and human migration with a focus on South and Southeast Asia.