Unnatural selection
In a new book, “Risky Business,” Amy Finkelstein examines the core issue of the insurance industry: Who gets to be a customer?
Matthew Notowidigdo appointed co-scientific director of J-PAL North America
Notowidigdo will guide J-PAL North America in developing rigorous research on economic mobility and advise the creation of a racial equity research agenda.
Research collaboration to examine parent-child learning interactions’ impact on child skill and curiosity
J-PAL North America and the University of Chicago’s Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab will evaluate two approaches to text-based parental engagement programs that motivate two distinct kinds of learning interactions.
Should we tax robots?
Study suggests a robot levy — but only a modest one — could help combat the effects of automation on income inequality in the U.S.
Physician, heal thyself?
Research shows doctors and their families are less likely to follow guidelines about medicine. Why do the medically well-informed comply less often?
Five from MIT named 2023 Quad Fellows
The new fellowship from the governments of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, administered by Schmidt Futures, supports graduate education in STEM fields.
Study: Automation drives income inequality
New data suggest most of the growth in the wage gap since 1980 comes from automation displacing less-educated workers.
Toward compassion and equity
Committed to Caring program honors David Autor for his unique approach to graduate student mentorship and advocacy.
Ben Bernanke PhD ’79 awarded a share of the Nobel Prize in economic sciences
MIT alumnus and two others honored for research on the role of banks in the economy, including during financial crises.
Professor Emeritus Richard “Dick” Eckaus, who specialized in development economics, dies at 96
Deeply respected advisor, educator, mentor, and former department head was a founding member of the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change and committed to helping others rise out of poverty.
The economics of missed opportunities
Danielle Li takes a close look at scientific practices and organizational decisions — and provides data about improving them.
Tipping the balance between global rivals
John David Minnich seeks to understand how trade policies fueled China’s rise and continue to determine geopolitical winners and losers.
Fighting poverty with direct cash payments
The alumni-founded GiveDirectly has delivered over $500 million in cash to impoverished people, letting recipients decide how best to meet their needs.
Caspar Hare, Georgia Perakis named associate deans of Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing
The faculty members will work together to advance the cross-cutting initiative of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.
Measuring the “woodwork effect” in medical insurance
Study: When adults gain access to Medicaid, they sign up their previously unenrolled kids, too — yet many more remain outside the system.