Robert Works Fuller (1936–2025) was an American physicist, educator, and social reformer whose career transitioned from academic leadership to global activism and social advocacy. He served as the president of Oberlin College from 1970 to 1974, where he was recognized for championing diversity and leading significant curricular reforms within the institution.
Following his tenure in higher education, Fuller dedicated himself to international relations and humanitarian efforts. During the Cold War, he actively worked in the field of citizen diplomacy. He also co-founded the Hunger Project, an initiative aimed at eradicating world hunger through global cooperation and strategic action.
In his writing and public life, Fuller became a prominent advocate for social justice, focusing on the eradication of what he termed "rankism," or rank-based discrimination. Through his extensive travels and publications, he campaigned for the creation of more equitable societies free from the abuses of rank. His contributions to education, science, and social reform earned him election as a Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences.
