Hugh Urban, Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Comparative Studies, has been selected for membership in The American Academy of Arts & Sciences. 

Founded in 1780, the academy is an honorary society that recognizes and celebrates the excellence of its members and an independent research center  that convenes leaders from across disciplines, professions and perspectives to address significant challenges.

Urban studies secrecy in religion, particularly in relation to questions of knowledge and power. His work focuses primarily on the religions of South Asia and new religious movements in the United States. He is the author of numerous books, including  Tantra: Sex, Secrecy, Politics and Power in the Study of Religion (2003), The Power of Tantra (2010), The Church of Scientology: A History of a New Religion (2011), and Secrecy: Silence, Power and Religion (2021).

"I am truly honored and flattered to be elected to the Academy,” Urban said. “I have been fortunate to have had the support of so many teachers and mentors over the years, as well as many colleagues in the Arts and Sciences here at Ohio State. I hope that I can in turn pass that along and help mentor the next generation of scholars."

Urban joins 252 new members drawn from academia, the arts, industry, policy, research and science. Other notable additions include actor and filmmaker Jodie Foster, author Barbara Kingsolver and climate scientist Michael Mann, as well as international honorary academy members from 14 countries.