January 12, 2026
The American Studies Association is proud to announce its support for the Doctoral Futures Initiative, a transformative, collaborative effort to rethink and strengthen humanities doctoral education in the United States. Convened by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) in partnership with the American Historical Association (AHA), the Modern Language Association (MLA), and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), Doctoral Futures brings together scholars, students, administrators, and academic leaders to explore how PhD programs can be more equitable, effective, and future-ready.
The initiative responds to longstanding structural challenges in graduate education, including questions around recruitment and admissions, mentoring and retention, curricular innovation, and career pathways inside and beyond the academy. Over its three-year course, Doctoral Futures will focus on:
- Advocating for higher completion rates, efficient time-to-degree, equitable funding, and sustainable program structures;
- Supporting the recruitment of diverse cohorts including first-generation students, students from underrepresented institutions, and non-traditional candidates;
- Promoting curricular innovation that integrates rigorous academic and scholarly training with professional development;
- Supporting collective and holistic mentorship models and training faculty in inclusive advising practices;
- Centering principles of access and inclusion in all aspects of graduate education;
- Prioritizing student well-being throughout the doctoral experience.
ASA’s support underscores our commitment to the vitality and sustainability of humanities scholarship and graduate professional preparation. By joining this effort, the ASA aligns with peer societies to advocate for doctoral education that equips students for rich, varied careers while sustaining the intellectual rigor at the heart of our disciplines.
For more information about the Doctoral Futures Initiative, visit the ACLS website.