School of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences

A new study by MIT economists indicates that some metrics used in hospital rankings do, in fact, provide real insight about hospital quality.

Hospital rankings hold up

Some basic metrics do effectively diagnose care quality, according to MIT economists.

January 30, 2020

Madeline Abrahams, an EECS senior and MIT/Tang Family FinTech SuperUROP scholar, presents her work investigating the spread of misinformation related to climate change via algorithmic aggregation platforms at the SuperUROP Showcase.

At halfway point, SuperUROP scholars share their research results

In a lively poster session, more than 100 undergraduates discuss their yearlong research projects on everything from machine learning to political geography.

January 29, 2020

Kang Zhou, a lecturer in Chinese in MIT Global Studies and Languages, teaches the fundamentals of Chinese calligraphy during the MIT's Independent Activities Period in January.

3 Questions: Kang Zhou on the lessons of Chinese calligraphy

When we appreciate calligraphy works in class, we also analyze the life experiences and stories of each calligrapher’s unique style.

January 28, 2020

Dwai Banerjee is co-author of a new book titled “Hematologies: The Political Life of Blood in India.”

Blood and politics in India

New book explores the use of blood in political rhetoric, imagery, and activism, and even the politics of blood drives.

January 21, 2020

"Lately I have been trying to think of African history from the perspective of goodness and basic human decency," says Kenda Mutongi, an MIT professor of history. "Of course, conflicts exist, and do a great deal of damage in our lives, and we must confront them — but we must also allow ourselves to appreciate basic goodness and kindness when we see it."

3 Questions: Professor Kenda Mutongi on Africa, women, power — and human decency

Mutongi discusses the connection between Kenyan widows and the #MeToo movement, myths of African entrepreneurship, and the wider implications of her research.

January 14, 2020

The Santa Clara County’s Office of Supportive Housing in California is working with J-PAL North America and affiliated researchers to test the impact of rapid re-housing on homeless shelter entry, housing moves, and hospital visits for single adults.

J-PAL North America seeks partners to research homelessness

Housing Stability Evaluation Incubator will provide funding and technical assistance to help partners build evidence on strategies to reduce and prevent homelessness.

January 13, 2020

A new MIT-led study set in Camden, New Jersey (pictured here), finds that “hotspotting” healthcare programs have a very limited effect when it comes to improving care and reducing costs for high-risk patients.

In health care, does “hotspotting” make patients better?

Study shows no effect from program intended to reduce repeated hospitalizations by targeting high-cost patients.

January 8, 2020

Jeanne Guillemin was described by The New York Times as a “scientific sleuth” and the Washington Post as a “pioneering researcher” in obituaries that lauded her groundbreaking work in biological warfare — a field where men had long outnumbered their female colleagues.

Jeanne Guillemin, biological warfare expert and senior advisor at MIT, dies at 76

A sought-after analyst on the use of biological weapons, she was a model of interdisciplinary excellence to all — especially women.

January 7, 2020

How to stage a revolution

MIT History class explores the roots and complexities of revolutions across the globe.

January 7, 2020

MIT's most popular research stories of 2019 spanned schools and disciplines.

Bose grants for 2019 reward bold ideas across disciplines

Three innovative research projects in literature, plant epigenetics, and chemical engineering will be supported by Professor Amar G. Bose Research Grants.

December 23, 2019

Designed by an MIT team using artificial intelligence, “The [R]evolution of Hip Hop Breakbeat Narratives” is an immersive art installation designed for the forthcoming Universal Hip Hop Museum in New York City.

Exploring hip hop history with art and technology

With its centerpiece exhibit for the forthcoming Universal Hip Hop Museum, an MIT team uses artificial intelligence to explore the rich history of hip hop music.

December 20, 2019

MIT News Podcast: Build your own language (with transcript)

December 18, 2019

Junior Alex Cuellar with his constructed language. The chalkboard reads: "I can speak Oafal."

How to build a language

MIT students are inventing constructed languages — or “conlangs” — in a class that uses linguistics to supply the building blocks.

December 17, 2019

Anoushka Bose is moving purposefully toward a public-service career in nuclear policy and diplomacy.

Anoushka Bose: Targeting a career in security studies and diplomacy

Nuclear science and engineering and physics met political science to illuminate a new path.