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Yale Appoints Columnist David Brooks as Presidential Fellow
Brooks will host events, develop programming to increase public engagement with liberal arts
Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:07pm
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Author and columnist David Brooks has accepted a five-year appointment as a Presidential Senior Fellow at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs starting on February 1. The new Presidential Senior Fellowship program, started by Yale President Maurie McInnis, aims to bring experts to campus to foster respectful debate and bridge the academy with society at large.
Why it matters
The program seeks to address rising public skepticism of higher education by expanding access to the transformative work of universities. As a respected public intellectual, Brooks' appointment is expected to help deepen Yale's connection to the wider world and engage students in discussions on fundamental questions of the humanist tradition.
The details
During his fellowship, Brooks will host lectures, conversations with leaders, and develop programming to increase public engagement with the liberal arts, including a new weekly video podcast from The Atlantic. He will also teach a class on humility, which formed the basis for his 2015 New York Times bestselling book, "The Road to Character."
- Brooks' five-year appointment as a Presidential Senior Fellow at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs begins on February 1, 2026.
- Brooks will host events and develop programming during the spring 2026 semester.
The players
David Brooks
An author, columnist, and National Humanities Medal-winning writer who has spent his career exploring the intersection of the humanities and politics.
Maurie McInnis
The president of Yale University, who started the new Presidential Senior Fellowship program to bring experts to campus and foster respectful debate.
James Levinsohn
The Charles W. Goodyear Professor of Global Affairs and dean of the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs.
Oona Hathaway
The Gerard C. and Bernice Latrobe Smith Professor of International Law at Yale Law School.
Walter Isaacson
A National Humanities Medal-winning writer who has praised Brooks' ability to engage in conversation across political and ideological divides.
What they’re saying
“One of the hallmarks of David's career has been his ability to gather ideas from a broad swath of disciplines to enable people to grapple with the complexities of politics and society. I look forward to seeing how he'll do the same for Yale's groundbreaking scholarship, connecting the dots between our work on campus and the knowledge and innovation that we're spurring around the globe.”
— Maurie McInnis, President, Yale University
“At Yale Jackson, we prepare students for public service and civic life not only through the theory and practice of global affairs, but also by teaching them how to engage seriously with ideas that differ from their own. Deepening Yale's connection to the wider world is central to that work. And having access to David and his insightful analysis of questions of character will be an invaluable resource for our students.”
— James Levinsohn, Charles W. Goodyear Professor of Global Affairs and Dean, Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs
“David Brooks has demonstrated throughout his career his ability to engage in conversation across political and ideological divides. At a moment when the world is increasingly polarized, these conversations are more important than ever. I am also excited to see him help scholars and experts at Yale reach new audiences.”
— Oona Hathaway, Gerard C. and Bernice Latrobe Smith Professor of International Law, Yale Law School
“The current crisis that our society faces is not just about politics but about purpose - our sense of national purpose and how that relates to the purpose we find in our own lives. David Brooks, who has spent his career exploring the intersection of the humanities and politics, is the perfect person to lead this needed national conversation.”
— Walter Isaacson
What’s next
Brooks will host a number of events, including lectures and conversations with leaders who offer a broad range of perspectives, during the spring 2026 semester. He will also develop programming to increase public engagement with the liberal arts, including a new weekly video podcast from The Atlantic.
The takeaway
By appointing respected public intellectual David Brooks as a Presidential Senior Fellow, Yale is taking steps to address rising public skepticism of higher education and deepen the university's connection to the wider world. Brooks' ability to engage across political and ideological divides is expected to foster respectful debate and bring the transformative work of Yale's scholars to new audiences.
