Five esteemed professors from the University of Michigan have been honored by being selected for the 2025 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, joining nearly 250 distinguished scholars. Their expertise spans across psychology, history, life sciences, public policy, and sociology, showcasing the university’s diverse academic proficiency.
Academy President Laurie Patton remarked on the significance of these new members, stating, “These new members’ accomplishments speak volumes about the human capacity for discovery, creativity, leadership and persistence.”
Toni Antonucci serves as the Elizabeth M. Douvan Collegiate Professor of Psychology and is a research professor at the Institute for Social Research. Her pivotal research delves into social relations and health across different life stages, focusing on multigenerational family studies and social relations in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
David Dunning, the Mary Ann and Charles R. Walgreen Jr. Professor of the Study of Human Understanding, concentrates on the psychology of human misbelief and decision-making. He is also an associate chair of the Department of Psychology and a faculty affiliate at the Institute for Social Research.
Paul Johnson, a professor of history and Afroamerican and African studies, explores hybrid forms of agency in the Americas, particularly in Brazil and the Caribbean. His work examines the role of secrecy in religions, law, and state questions.
Janet Smith, the Rita Willis Professor of the Life Sciences, focuses on understanding biological processes through the study of protein structures. She holds several positions, including associate director of the Life Sciences Institute and a professor within the Medical School.
Celeste Watkins-Hayes, the Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy, investigates the intersection of inequality, public policy, and human services. Her research emphasizes HIV/AIDS, poverty, and the dynamics of race, class, and gender.
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