Noted scholar Appadurai named provost at New School University

provost at New School University

New School University President Bob Kerry has announced the appointment of Arjun Appadurai, director of the Center on Cities and Globalization at Yale University, as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs of New School University.

A noted scholar of international affairs, anthropology, sociology and political science, Appadurai will assume his posts at New School University on Jan. 1 when he takes over from Jackson Kytle, deputy provost, who has been serving since the former provost, Elizabeth Dickey, returned to the New School faculty last July.

Appadurai was born in Bombay, India, and studied at the University of Bombay, Brandies University and University of Chicago, where he earned his doctorate in social thought. He was a professor and director of the Globalization Project at Chicago and later was professor of anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. At Yale, he held the William K. Lannan Jr. professorship of International Studies. He is the author or editor of nine books and more than 80 scholarly papers.

“We are very fortunate to have him join us at New School University,” said Kerry. “I look forward to welcoming him to this pivotal leadership position as a member of my senior management team.”

Yale University President Richard C. Levin commended New School University on the appointment of Appadurai, who “has made major contributions to Yale by enlivening the discussion of globalization among his colleagues in the departments of anthropology, political science and sociology.”

Appadurai said, “I am delighted to be able to join Bob Kerry in leading an extraordinary university, in the world’s most vibrant city, as it brings its mission to a globalzing world.”