The MIT Department of Comparative Media Studies/Writing (CMS/W) is a hub for examining how media, technology, and communication shape our world. From the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence to the history of vaccine hesitancy, CMS/W faculty, students, and alumni are at the forefront of critical inquiry and creative expression.
Recent highlights from the department illustrate its broad impact. A Scientific American feature showcases the role of curiosity-driven science in America’s success, spotlighting MIT researchers. Thomas Levenson’s new book delves into the long history of vaccine hesitancy, tracing arguments against vaccination back to the origins of the technology itself. The MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium brought together experts to examine the crucial human component in computing and AI.
Students are also making headlines. In a collaboration with The Associated Press, MIT science writing students developed and pitched local climate stories, working alongside visual journalists. The MIT4America Calculus Project connects MIT undergraduates with high schoolers, providing tutoring in a subject that is a gateway to many STEM careers.
The department mourns the loss of Les Perelman, a longtime faculty member and champion of writing education, who fiercely criticized automated essay grading and established an influential writing program. Meanwhile, new faculty join CMS/W and other humanities departments, and professors like T.L. Taylor (named a 2026-27 CASBS Fellow) and Justin Reich (leading efforts to help K-12 schools navigate AI) continue to push boundaries.
Through courses that mix beats, history, and technology—such as a unique DJ’ing class—and through honors like the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship for alumnus Steven Truong, CMS/W exemplifies MIT’s commitment to integrating the arts and sciences. The department’s work underscores how studying media and writing is essential for understanding and shaping the future.