Epidemic-economic model provides answers to key pandemic policy questions

Is lockdown an effective response to a pandemic, or would it be better to let individuals spontaneously reduce their risk of infection?  Research published today suggests these two highly debated options lead to similar outcomes.  A ground-breaking economic-pandemic model, created by an international team of researchers, addresses some of the...

Connection Science Group winners of Stanford Strengthening Democracy Challenge

This intervention presented participants with data showing that rival partisans do not hold as strong of anti-democratic attitudes as participants likely assumed. For example, Republicans were shown data on Democrats’ low support for several anti-democratic practices. Team members included Alia Braley & Gabriel Lenz (UC-Berkeley), Dhaval Adjodah, Hossein Rahnama, &...

How artificial intelligence can help combat systemic racism

MLK Visiting Professor S. Craig Watkins looks beyond algorithm bias to an AI future where models more effectively deal with systemic inequality. Watkins, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and the founding director of the Institute for Media Innovation​, researches the impacts of media and data-based systems...

Racial equity and data science

SSRC Director Fotini Christia introduces a new MIT-wide effort to address systemic racism with social science and computation, launched by IDSS.

New EdX course from CBI: Making a Cell Therapy

Cell therapies, such as CAR-T and stem cell therapies, are an exciting new class of therapeutics with the potential to revolutionize medicine. Learn the biology, engineering, and analytical chemistry behind how these amazing new products are manufactured. The course begins Sept. 21, 2021.

Mobility patterns influence how we experience income segregation in our cities

Economic segregation isn't just limited to neighborhoods; it's part of the places you visit every day. In a world of increasing urbanization, migration, and mobility, cities are becoming the epicenter of social life. Diverse populations and social cohesion are crucial for sustainable urban development, but cities face rising segregation and...

SSRC director Fotini Christia appointed chair

Fotini Christia has been selected as the holder of the Ford International Professor in recognition of her distinguished record of scholarly, professional, and pedagogical contributions to the study of ethnic conflict, political and economic development. In addition, Devavrat Shah has been selected as the holder of the Andrew (1956) and...

Lockdowns reveal inequities in opportunities for walking activities

(By Stephanie M. McPherson) Lockdowns saved lives during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. But as much as they have slowed the spread of Covid-19, there have been some unintended consequences. New research from the MIT Connection Science Group shows that lockdowns in ten metropolitan areas throughout the United States led to...