The Heart of the Matter

Robust and comprehensive policies to support humanities and social sciences research and education are urgently needed to secure America’s future economic, civic, and diplomatic success, according to a new report released by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The 61-page report The Heart of the Matter responds to a 2010 bipartisan request by lawmakers Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Representatives Tom Petri (R-Wis.) and David Price (D-N.C.) to identify the top most critical actions to be taken by Congress, state governments, universities, and foundations to maintain national excellence in humanities and social science scholarship and to achieve long-term national goals of intellectual and economic well-being, a stronger civil society, and successful cultural diplomacy.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences also created a companion film featuring director George Lucas, actor John Lithgow, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.

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