Empowering women in Afghanistan
By placing some women in local leadership positions, an innovative development aid program integrates women into civic life, and may have economic benefits.
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How anti-poverty programs go viral
Study: Getting the well-connected to spread the word helps more people learn about microfinance programs in rural India.
The long history of ‘Eurasian’ identity
MIT historian’s new book studies cross-cultural Asian-American families since the 19th century.
Innovative study estimates extent to which air pollution in China shortens human lives
New quasi-experimental research finds major impact of coal emissions on health.
Study details the quirky geography of knowledge-sharing
Research indicates how man-made boundaries limit patent citations.
Re-thinking ethnic favoritism in politics
Study shows ethnic-based distribution of goods in African politics is not continuous, but instead intermittent and limited in scope.
Diversifying your online world
In a new book, MIT’s Ethan Zuckerman asserts that we need to overcome the Internet’s sorting tendencies and create tools to make ourselves ‘digital cosmopolitans.’
That ’70s show
In a new book, journalist and MIT fellow Christian Caryl recounts the epoch-shaping political, religious and economic upheavals launched in the year 1979.
The strangely familiar browsing habits of 14th-century readers
MIT professor’s book digs into the eclectic, textually linked reading choices of people in medieval London.
Using literature to understand violence against blacks
MIT professor Sandy Alexandre studies the literary record to shed light on the history of lynching in the United States.
The new challenges for urban planners
In MIT talk, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan emphasizes the need for creative urbanism in a time of economic strain.
How to make factory conditions better
After years of research into global production systems, an MIT political scientist is convinced that government, not just the private sector, must help keep workers safe.
How Medicaid affects adult health
Study: Health insurance helps lower-income Americans avoid depression, diabetes, major financial shocks.
Are we purging the poorest?
In a new book, MIT urbanist Lawrence Vale examines the downsizing of public housing.
Decoding ‘noisy’ language in daily life
Study shows how people rationally interpret linguistic input.