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MAY 2013
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. Story by Peter Dizikes
Striking a balance on taxes
Research by PhD student Stefanie Stantcheva touches on taxation, student loans and education incentives. Story by Shraddha Chakradhar
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. Story by Peter Dizikes
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. Story by Peter Dizikes
How Medicaid affects adult health
Study: Health insurance helps lower-income Americans avoid depression, diabetes, major financial shocks. Story by Peter Dizikes
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APRIL 2013
Decoding ‘noisy’ language in daily life
Study shows how people rationally interpret linguistic input. Story by Peter Dizikes
MIT and Haiti sign agreement to promote Kreyòl-language STEM education
Initiative designed to help Haitians gain technical education. Story by Peter Dizikes
China and Japan remain miles apart on uninhabited isles
At MIT event, diplomats and scholars reinforce high stakes, lack of progress on Asian territorial dispute. Story by Peter Dizikes
Deep in the field
Book details how economist Robert Townsend has spent two decades in rural Thailand, exploring the links between household finances and economic growth. Story by Peter Dizikes
3Q: Jeffrey Ravel on the French past and our future
With MIT hosting a global French history conference, a look at the international growth of — and changes in — the field. Story by Peter Dizikes
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MARCH 2013
Helping students master data
An undergraduate econometrics class gets students to think critically about their own research. Story by Peter Dizikes
Four professors named 2013 MacVicar Fellows
Griffith, Miller, Schulz and Teng awarded the Institute’s highest undergraduate teaching honor. Story by the MIT News Office
Sizing up Japan, after the disaster
MIT political scientist examines Japanese stasis after nuclear meltdown at Fukushima. Story by Peter Dizikes
The science of politics
Jens Hainmueller looks for experiments to answer tough political questions. Story by Peter Dizikes
Nate Silver presents forecasting work as antidote to ‘terrible’ political pundits
In MIT talk, celebrated election forecaster offers critique of media, advice to students and hints about his future projects. Story by Peter Dizikes
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FEBRUARY 2013
New insight into how people choose insurance plans
Study: Consumers avoid high-deductible plans if they expect to reduce their use of medical care. Story by Peter Dizikes
Knight Fellowship has made its mark on science journalism
MIT-based program has provided research experience for hundreds of reporters. Story by David L. Chandler
Robert Bishop, MIT economist and dean, dies at age 96
A member of the MIT community for seven decades, he was a scholar of microeconomic theory, an innovative teacher, and a dean who helped expand the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Story by Peter Dizikes
How human language could have evolved from birdsong
Linguistics and biology researchers propose a new theory on the deep roots of human speech. Story by Peter Dizikes
What’s the cost and financial value of college?
At MIT, experts say evidence shows the payoff from college education remains high. Story by Peter Dizikes
3 Questions: Charles Stewart ranks the voting systems in the 50 states
A new Pew Center project, spurred by MIT research, studies how well states run their elections. Story by Peter Dizikes
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JANUARY 2013
The hidden history of Bengali Harlem
MIT professor’s new book details the overlooked waves of South Asian immigrants to the United States. Story by Peter Dizikes
The Natural Experimenter
MIT economist Josh Angrist’s meticulous methods have influenced scholars for two decades. Now he’s zeroing in on what makes some schools better than others. Story by Peter Dizikes
The high value of water
Study: People willing to pay more for running water report much higher levels of happiness when they have it. Story by Peter Dizikes
Hard times in Chicago
MIT anthropologist’s new book recounts the painful aftermath when steel plants suddenly closed in the American heartland. Story by Peter Dizikes
Why are Japanese cartoons a global hit?
MIT scholar’s new book heralds ‘creative collaboration’ with the masses as the key to anime’s worldwide popularity. Story by Peter Dizikes
Why some immigrants get citizenship
Study: Country of origin a 'massive disadvantage' for some immigrants, regardless of qualifications. Story by Peter Dizikes
Duflo, Lander, Lewin to lead spring-semester MITx courses
EdX takes stock of last semester’s MITx courses; data will be used to improve education online and in the classroom. Story by Jennifer Chu
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DECEMBER 2012
The health-insurance markets of the (very near) future
Policymakers must address ‘tension’ between competition and ease of use. Story by Peter Dizikes
The subculture of cheese
MIT anthropologist looks inside the growing world of do-it-yourself American cheese-makers. Story by Peter Dizikes
3 Questions: David Kaiser on Thomas Kuhn’s paradigm shift
Scholars mark 50th anniversary of 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.' Story by Peter Dizikes
Study: At most a third of us show a consistent approach to financial risk
Empirically rich new study finds most people alter their risk-management approach depending on the type of financial decision. Story by Peter Dizikes
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NOVEMBER 2012
Knowing the score
At MIT, composer Keeril Makan has found a home for his innovative works. Story by Peter Dizikes
How civil wars evolve
MIT political scientist’s book shows how even the bloodiest conflicts feature pragmatic alliances—not just ancient sectarian divisions. Story by Peter Dizikes
OCTOBER 2012
Explained: Margin of error
When you hear poll results reported with a certain margin of error, that’s only part of the story. Story by David Chandler
How Jonathan Gruber became ‘Mr. Mandate’
An MIT economist’s path to the center of health-care policymaking in Washington. Story by Peter Dizikes
The state of the U.S. election system
New report from MIT and Caltech notes gains in voting-machine technologies, but warns they could be cancelled out by errors introduced through mail and Internet voting. Story by Peter Dizikes
3 Questions: Charles Stewart sizes up the 2012 election
MIT political scientist and voting expert weighs in on the state of the presidential campaign, the shifting demographics of America, and the tossup U.S. Senate races. Story by Peter Dizikes
DeGraff awarded $1 million NSF grant to continue linguistics research in Haiti
Funding will help develop classroom tools to teach science and math in Creole for the first time. Story by Peter Dizikes
SEPTEMBER 2012
3 Questions: Violence and protests in the Muslim world
MIT political scientist Fotini Christia talks about the attacks on U.S. and Western embassies in North Africa and the Middle East. Story by Peter Dizikes
Q&A: Junot Díaz on his new book
The MIT professor and Pulitzer-winning writer talks about the people and ideas in his newest work, This Is How You Lose Her—and explains why women form a big part of his core audience. Interview by Peter Dizikes
Understanding gambling addiction
For machine gamblers, it’s not whether they win or lose—it’s how much they play the game. Story by Peter Dizikes
AUGUST 2012
The economic cost of increased temperatures
Study: Warming episodes hurt poor countries and limit long-term growth. Story by Peter Dizikes
Study: Many Americans die with ‘virtually no financial assets’
Innovative research shows large divergence in retirement saving outcomes, with the single elderly faring worse than married couples. Story by Peter Dizikes
Five MIT researchers win presidential early career honors
Parag Pathak, Economics, among them. Story by the MIT News Office Staff
JULY 2012
Economist Robert Townsend wins Frisch Medal
Prestigious prize granted for research on Thailand’s villages. Story by the MIT News Office Staff
JUNE 2012
3 Questions: Andrea Campbell interprets the Supreme Court’s health care decision
An MIT political scientist whose work was cited in one justice’s opinion weighs in on the ruling and its implications. Story by Peter Dizikes
Bits of buildings: How is computing changing the architect’s job?
In a new book, an MIT researcher looks at the influence of high-tech simulations on the profession of architecture. Story by Peter Dizikes
Economists find evidence for famous hypothesis of ‘comparative advantage’
Why do nations trade goods instead of producing more themselves? An old theory, that countries specialize in the products they make well, may be on the money. Story by Peter Dizikes
The complexities of cognitive comparisons
In experiments, linguists examine how we make everyday judgments about groups of objects. Story by Peter Dizikes
MAY 2012
Taking credit
When Thailand’s government started offering microfinance loans to villagers, did anyone benefit? An MIT economist investigates. Story by Peter Dizikes
3 Questions: Hanna Rose Shell on the hidden history of camouflage
Historian of technology’s new book traces the surprisingly recent invention of a standard military practice. Story by Peter Dizikes
Studying school quality, to fight inequality
New MIT center examines education and its lifelong effects. Story by Peter Dizikes
Game Theory, in the real world
MIT economist Parag Pathak engineers practical solutions to complicated education problems. Parag Pathak Photo: Dominick Reuter For students in New York and Boston, who have a range of options beyond. Story by Peter Dizikes
APRIL 2012
Economist Amy Finkelstein wins the John Bates Clark Medal
MIT economist lauded for work on health care markets. Story by Peter Dizikes
13 MIT faculty elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences | three from MIT SHASS
Philsopher Stephen Yabol, Economists Amy Finkelstein and David Autor elected. Story by the MIT News Office Staff
Four from MIT win Guggenheim Fellowships | Makan and Yablo from MIT SHASS
Story by the MIT News Office Staff
A Tough Calculation: Why don't more women go into engineering?
Study by Anthropologist Susan Silbey reveals why female students remain wary of the engineering workplace. Story by Peter Dizikes
MARCH 2012
What lies ahead for science and science writing?
10th anniversary of MIT Graduate Program in Science Writing celebrates past, looks to future. Story by Jessica Fujimori
All the difference in the world
In new book, economists Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson assert that above all else, political institutions — not culture or natural resources — determine the wealth of nations. Story by Peter Dizikes
Inequality offensive
At MIT forum, economists evaluate the consequences of increasing inequality in America, and suggest solutions. Story by Peter Dizikes
Four professors named 2012 MacVicar Faculty Fellows
Broadhead, Kaelbling, Kaiser and Rose awarded the Institute’s highest undergraduate teaching honor. News Office Staff
If the people will lead
MIT panel on the future of black politics, scholars discuss the need for civic engagement at a time of economic stress. Story by Peter Dizikes
FEBRUARY 2012
When (and where) work disappears
Study: Overseas manufacturing competition hits U.S. regions hard, leaving workers unemployed for years and local economies struggling. Story by Peter Dizikes
3 Questions: Adam Berinsky on the unpredictable GOP campaign
Political scientist who studies public opinion assesses a campaign with wildly fluctuating polls. Story by Peter Dizikes
Historian of Science Charles Weiner dies at 80
Longtime faculty member was a pre-eminent analyst of the political, social and ethical dimensions of contemporary science. Story by the MIT News Office Staff
JANUARY 2012
3 Questions: John Harbison on his sixth symphony
The Pulitzer-prize winning composer discusses his latest major work, premiering January 2012 at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Story by Peter Dizikes
Leading by example
Study by Esther Duflo | The presence of female politicians boosts aspirations, educational achievement of young women. Story by Peter Dizikes
DECEMBER 2011
3 Questions: Stephen Van Evera on the withdrawal from Iraq
A look at the prospects for peace as U.S. troops leave. Story by Peter Dizikes
Bridging the divide
New study co-led by political scientist Fotini Christia shows how integrated institutions can lead diverse populations to cooperate in rebuilding countries. Story by Peter Dizikes
Nobel laureate: Long path to economic renewal, but energy innovation could help
Robert Solow, Professor of Economics emeritus says investments in energy and infrastructure could help revive the economy. Story by Peter Dizikes
NOVEMBER 2011
A Tocqueville for our Time
MIT Historian Arthur Kaledin's new book re-evaluates of Democracy in America, and emphasizes Alexis de Tocqueville’s doubts and concerns about politics in the United States. Story by Peter Dizikes
Allen Lin ’11, MEng ’11 named Marshall Scholar
Recent alum will hone interests in policy, synthetic biology through study in the United Kingdom. Story by the MIT News Office Staff
How we (should) decide
MIT Philosopher Caspar Hare aims to develop theories of practical rationality that may just help us make real-world decisions. "In philosophy, there’s nothing you can’t think,” Hare says. “Everything’s on the table, and the values are all about rigor and clarity, exploring how to use a thought and seeing where it goes." Story by Emily Finn
Stephanie Lin wins Rhodes Scholarship
Lin, an MIT senior who is majoring in biology with a minor in applied international studies, has received a Rhodes Scholarship to study next year at Oxford University. She is one of 32 American recipients selected this weekend by the Rhodes Trust. Story by the MIT News Office Staff
Townsend wins Laffont Prize in Economics
MIT economist Robert M. Townsend, an expert in the ways financial systems and practices can contribute to the growth of developing economies, has been named winner of the Jean-Jacques Laffont Prize in economics for 2011. Story by the MIT News Office Staff
Political Scientist Taylor Fravel decodes China’s foreign policy
Fravel’s work has gained attention because of an unanticipated finding growing out of his doctoral research: In the last several decades, to a greater extent than has been generally understood, China has often struck pragmatic compromises in foreign-policy disputes with its neighbors. Fravel’s 2008 book, Strong Borders, Secure Nation: Cooperation and Conflict in China’s Territorial Disputes, reveals this tendency and analyzes the reasons for it. Story by Peter Dizikes
Summers: To end slump, United States must spend
In MIT remarks, former Treasury secretary calls for the ‘common sense’ cure of more government spending to spur growth. “No thoughtful person can look at the U.S. economy today and believe that the principal constraint on expansion of output and employment is anything other than the lack of demand experienced by firms,” Summers said. That is, not enough consumers in the country have sufficient spending power; government programs employing more people would change that, he asserted. “If the private sector is either unable or unwilling to borrow and spend on a sufficient scale, then there is a substantial role for government in doing that. That’s the right macroeconomics. It’s also common sense.”
Story by Peter Dizikes
Massachusetts Institute of Technology