Five esteemed professors from the University of Michigan, recognized in the fields of psychology, history, life sciences, public policy, and sociology, have been selected as part of the nearly 250 scholars for the 2025 cohort of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

“The achievements of these new members highlight the remarkable human potential for exploration, imagination, leadership, and tenacity,” stated academy President Laurie Patton. “They are a shining example of how knowledge can expand our perspectives and enhance our insight.”

The selected faculty members are:

Toni Antonucci, the Elizabeth M. Douvan Collegiate Professor of Psychology and research professor at the Institute for Social Research’s Life Course division, investigates social relationships and health throughout the lifespan, including family multigenerational studies and comparative analyses of social relationships across the lifespan in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

David Dunning, the Mary Ann and Charles R. Walgreen Jr. Professor of Human Understanding, serves as a psychology professor and faculty affiliate at the Institute for Social Research. His investigations focus on the psychological factors that contribute to human misbelief and the decision-making processes in diverse contexts.

Paul Johnson, a professor of history and Afroamerican and African studies, investigates hybrid expressions of agency in the Americas, particularly in Brazil and the Caribbean, as well as the implications of secrecy in religious practices and legal matters.

Janet Smith, associate director of the Life Sciences Institute, the Rita Willis Professor of Life Sciences, the Martha L. Ludwig Distinguished University Professor of Biological Chemistry, and a professor of biophysics, concentrates on elucidating biological mechanisms through structural insights of critical protein molecules.

Celeste Watkins-Hayes, the Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy, the Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy, and a professor of sociology, investigates the intersection of inequality, public policy, and human service organizations, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS, poverty, race, class, and gender studies.