The Common Read for the incoming Class of 2022 is “Frankenstein” (or “The Modern Prometheus”) by Mary Shelley. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the book’s publication, a seminal interdisciplinary work that has influenced millions of people across the globe. The book was chosen for its capacity to spark dialogue around issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity, and the themes of the text remain rele- vant to contemporary cultural debates about issues ranging from biomedical technologies and the ethical questions they raise to misperceptions and misrepre- sentations of the Other and their impact on a shared humanity.

Speaking at New Student Orientation is David Guston, the lead editor of the recent MIT Press edition of the book “Frankenstein: Annotated for Scientists, Engineers, and Creators of All Kinds,” which was distributed to incoming students during the summer.