Punishment for the people
Professor Lily Tsai’s new book explains how “retributive justice,” the high-profile sanctioning of some in society, helps authoritarians solidify public support.
Maria Zuber testifies before Congress on striking the right balance between research security and openness
“U.S. competitiveness depends less on defensive measures than on what we do to strengthen our own capacities,” says MIT’s vice president for research.
Citizens emerge from the slums
PhD student Ying Gao's research reveals that the urban poor in the developing world are politically engaged and capable of effecting change.
Making roadway spending more sustainable
Current and former MIT researchers find novel tools can improve the sustainability of road networks on a limited budget.
Institute Professor Paula Hammond named to White House science council
The head of MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering will serve on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
New views of autocracy emerge from historic archives
Political science PhD student Emilia Simison has found that despotic regimes vary, and the move to democracy doesn’t necessarily guarantee policy change.
What’s the next chapter in Afghanistan?
A panel of foreign-policy experts surveys the uncertainties facing the country as it returns to Taliban rule.
Reflecting on September 11, 20 years later
Steven Simon, the Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow at the MIT Center for International Studies and an expert on US strategy and the war on terror, weighs in on 9/11 and where we can go from here.
Study: Ending an eviction moratorium increases Covid-19 hazard
Results show infection rates increase across communities; individuals in low-income areas and those in poor health are at highest risk.
How authoritarian leaders maintain support
Study finds public anticorruption campaigns bolster leaders, even when such measures lack tangible results.
Finding common ground in Malden
Using an untapped resource, the Malden River Project is boosting social resilience along with climate mitigation in the gateway city of Malden, Massachusetts.
Making voting easier for previously incarcerated people
People rarely vote after being incarcerated. Associate Professor Ariel White wonders what can be done about it.
Study finds lockdowns effective at reducing travel in Sierra Leone
MIT researchers use cell tower data to show that movement during Covid-19-related lockdowns declined the most in wealthier areas with more people.
3 Questions: James Poterba on making infrastructure pay off
MIT economist sees overlooked value in repairs, upgrades, and user fees to help fund projects.
3 Questions: Secretary Kathleen Theoharides on climate and energy in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs discusses the state’s plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and how to get there.