Dr. Earl Lewis

Biography

Earl Lewis is a distinguished university professor in the Department of History at the University of Michigan, specializing in Afroamerican and African Studies, as well as Public Policy. He previously served as the president of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation from 2013 to 2018 and held various significant academic leadership roles, including provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University and dean of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan. An esteemed social historian, Lewis is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been involved with the Council on Foreign Relations. He is recognized for his contributions to the historical profession and has received 11 honorary degrees. His work primarily focuses on issues related to race and ethnicity, politics, and power in the United States. In addition to his teaching, Lewis is the founding director of the U-M Center for Social Solutions, emphasizing the university's commitment to addressing societal challenges.

Research Interests