Sunil Amrith, a distinguished scholar of human migration and global environmental history, has been appointed vice provost for international affairs, Provost Scott Strobel announced on Tuesday. Beginning immediately, he will lead Yale's international strategy and engagement efforts. He succeeds Steven Wilkinson, who was named dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in January.
Amrith is the Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and professor at the Yale School of the Environment. He also serves as Henry R. Luce Director of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale, an interdisciplinary hub for international scholarship, research, and teaching.
As vice provost, Amrith will coordinate with senior leaders, faculty, and staff to advance Yale's research on issues of global importance, educate students for international leadership and citizenship, and coordinate partnerships that benefit communities around the world. He will also advise university leaders on international matters.
"Sunil's background in fostering global scholarship and dialogue make him ideally suited to this role," Strobel wrote in a message to the community.
Prior to becoming director of the MacMillan Center, a position he will continue to hold, Amrith served as chair of the center's Council on South Asian Studies, leading strategic planning to promote faculty and student research and advance the council's global reputation. Before joining Yale in 2020, he was on the faculty at Harvard University, where he was co-director of the Joint Center for History and Economics and interim director of the Mahindra Humanities Center.
"I'm deeply honored to lead Yale's international engagement efforts," said Amrith.
"Since joining the university, I have been continually inspired by our ability to attract exceptional students and scholars from around the world, contribute new research on issues of international importance, and facilitate exchange between societies and cultures. I look forward to working with colleagues and partners to advance this work."
Amrith's contributions to global historical scholarship have earned him numerous honors, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the 2025 Toynbee Prize, the 2024 Fukuoka Academic Prize, and the 2022 Dr. A.H. Heineken Prize for History. Last year he was elected an International Fellow of the British Academy.
Amrith is also the author of several publications, including "The Burning Earth: A History," which was named to The New Yorker's list of "Essential Reads of 2024."
In his message, Strobel emphasized the importance of a committed, collaborative, and innovative leader to advance Yale's international strategy. "Sunil's capacity to build bridges between disciplines, foster international exchanges, and address challenges impacting communities around the globe perfectly position him for this work," he said.
"With the benefit of his expertise, we will fulfill Yale's international goals and support the faculty, students, and staff who are at the heart of our mission to improve the world."
