MIT
MIT Nuclear Science Professor Nuno Loureiro Dies After Fatal Shooting at Massachusetts Home
Dec 17, 2025 11:49 am CST
Renowned MIT professor Nuno F. Gomes Loureiro, 47, director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Centre, died following a shooting at his Massachusetts home. The Portuguese physicist, known for groundbreaking work in plasma dynamics and fusion energy research, was shot multiple times on December 15 and succumbed to his injuries the following day. Authorities are conducting an ongoing homicide investigation while colleagues mourn the loss of a brilliant scientist and compassionate mentor.
AI and Journalism: MIT Researcher Neil Thompson on Trust, Integrity and the Future of Media
Nov 10, 2025 04:06 pm CST
MIT's Professor Neil Thompson offers a nuanced perspective on AI's impact on journalism, arguing that while artificial intelligence will transform newsroom practices and increase competition, the fundamental values of journalistic integrity and truth verification will become more essential than ever. As AI-generated content proliferates, Thompson suggests journalists who maintain rigorous verification standards and build trusted reputations will remain indispensable in an increasingly automated media landscape.
Brown University Joins MIT in Rejecting Trump's College Compact Over Academic Freedom Concerns
Oct 16, 2025 03:46 pm CST
Brown University has declined the White House's Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, becoming the second institution after MIT to reject the proposal. President Christina Paxson cited concerns about academic freedom and institutional autonomy, stating the compact would contradict a previous July agreement that preserved the university's core values while restoring research funding.
Nobel Laureates Duflo and Banerjee Move to University of Zurich to Establish Development Economics Center
Oct 12, 2025 10:11 am CST
Nobel Economics Prize winners Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee are leaving MIT to join the University of Zurich in July 2023, where they will establish the Lemann Center for Development, Education and Public Policy. The move comes amid concerns about research funding cuts and academic freedom challenges in the United States, though they will maintain part-time positions at MIT.
MIT President Rejects Trump Administration's Higher Education Compact Tying Federal Funding to Political Agenda
Oct 11, 2025 02:58 am CST
MIT's President Sally Kornbluth formally opposed the Trump administration's proposal requiring universities to adopt political positions in exchange for federal funding access, citing concerns about free speech restrictions and academic independence. Eight other universities face similar pressure as they consider the controversial 10-page compact that would reshape admissions, campus policies, and institutional priorities.