Duke University bears special witness to its intellectual commitment through its program of distinguished professorships. Appointment to a named chair is the highest honor the university can bestow upon a member of its faculty. Distinguished Professorships honor faculty who are well-established members of the Duke academic community, who have also achieved distinction as creative scholars in their field or in their ability to transcend disciplines. Featured below are our newest Distinguished Professors, who were named in 2021. Previous years’ honorees will be added soon.