Next normal MIT Technology Review

One morning at the beginning of the spring semester I was struck by one of the best outside sounds: student voices! I couldn’t help but go to the window. Even with the cold, the students were obviously happy to return to campus — or in the case of their early years, to stay on campus for the first time. It gave me a tremendous boost.

And it also made me think about what MIT will look like when everyone comes back.

I know I’m not the only one who has had dream days with “the next normal”. Fortunately, MIT Group 2021 and beyond—A group of teachers, staff and students from across the institute — has spent the last year more than ever dreaming of this question. With their leadership and the extensive contribution of the community they have sought, we are using the opportunity for a tremendous break in society to think about potential changes that can help prepare us for the future.

For example, we need to achieve the right balance between face and distance. Through the pandemic, we have seen something “impossible” happen: many MIT employees working from home successfully. Many want the companionship of being with colleagues, but many also find hidden benefits in remote work. Our many experiences can help us figure out how we think about the workplace and suggest ways we can all be more productive and fulfilling in our work hours.

Of course, students are calling for a return to learning and practical discovery — MIT’s “special sauce”. But as they achieve their academic goals, they face an increasingly secure world. The team anticipates the need to place greater emphasis on student well-being; responses may have new curricular offerings to help strengthen students ’coping skills and help them develop strategies to strengthen academic and social success.

In the immediate future, some students, facing the challenges posed by the affected economy, are likely to receive more financial support. And to ensure MIT’s long-term creative power, we need to look for new sources of funding and new financial models to help our graduate students at the heart of our research company.

The 2021 Task Force is just a quick sampling of videos and Beyond is exploring that we anticipate an MIT that is best equipped to move forward in the post-pandemic future. There is a lot of work to be done: good practice to study and ideas to discuss and discuss. But I’m sure MIT is on track to prepare us even better to serve the nation and the world.