Abraham Flexner and Robbert Dijkgraaf (2017) The Usefulness of Useless Knowledge. Princeton University Press: Princeton, New Jersey. 104 pages. ISBN: 9780691174761

Abstract

The Institute for Advanced Study is one of the most prestigious, exclusive research centers in the world, at least in pure mathematics and mathematical, theoretical physics. It was catapulted into world recognition in 1933 with the hiring of Einstein as one of its first professors. The faculty hold lifetime positions, have no teaching or publication requirements, and few committee obligations. he Institute currently supports some 200 visiting ‘Members’ and ‘Visitors’ each year, among whom are some of the world’s most promising post-doctoral students. It is a private institute, it gives no degrees, and is supported by endowments, grants, and gifts, and, to some extent, by the U.S. National Science Foundation.