Said and Done

May 2018
Published by the Office of the Dean
MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences



QUOTABLE

““The cool thing about CS+HASS is that a lot of computer science is not yet applied to social science and humanities fields. So it’s a great opportunity to find new things. You’re pioneering a new type of analysis.”

Samir Dutta '19, Economics and Computer Science



RESEARCH
 

DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
For food aid recipients, information is power
A recent study finds that recipients of government aid collect 26 percent more of the goods intended for them when they are sent a simple information card with program details.
Story by Peter Dizikes
 

POLITICAL SCIENCE
People power in U.S. politics | Devin Caughey
A new study co-authored by Caughey shows that policies in the U.S. from 1936-2014 have been responsive to public opinion — and have become even more aligned with it in recent decades, albeit with geographical variation. 
Story by Peter Dizikes at MIT News
 

ECONOMICS
How much does infrastructure boost an economy? | David Donaldson
Donaldson's acclaimed, innovative study, "Railroads of the Raj," which details how railroads helped India trade and grow, may also speak to the importance of infrastructure more broadly. In the U.S., debate rolls on about the value of building and refurbishing America’s roads, bridges, railroads, ports, and airports.
Story at MIT News | Donaldson receives 2017 Clark Medal
 


The Darjeeling Himalyan small-gauge railroad in the Indian state of West Bengal



RESEARCH FEATURE: MIT AND THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY


The Task of History | The power of historical knowledge
At an MIT community dialogue event, four MIT historians discuss why understanding history is invaluable for those who want to help make a better world.
Story by SHASS Communications


3Q: Melissa Nobles and Craig Wilder on the MIT and the Legacy of Slavery dialogues
An MIT Community Dialogue series is underway as multi-year research continues.
Interview by SHASS Communications
 



STUDENTS AND ALUMNI
 

IDSS to launch new MicroMasters and PhD programs
Interdisciplinary doctoral program in statistics and online MicroMasters program in statistics and data science begin Fall 2018. Participating departments include Aero-Astro, Economics, Mathematics, Political Science, and the IDSS program in Social and Engineering Systems.
Story at MIT News
 

KNIGHT SCIENCE JOURNALISM | SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS
Ian Cheney releases a new documentary film: The Most Unknown
The Most Unknown is an epic documentary film that sends nine scientists to extraordinary parts of the world to uncover unexpected answers to some of humanity’s biggest questions. The film will be in theaters in May, available on Netflix in August.
Trailer on YouTube
 



THEATER ARTS
Playwrights Lab gives young writers a professional experience
The lab, based in MIT Music and Theater Arts and developed by Ken Urban, provides students with a chance to workshop scripts with seasoned actors and directors in a professional setting.
Story by Arts at MIT
 

HASS + STEM RESEARCH
CS+HASS SuperUROP debuts with nine multidisciplinary research projects
In yearlong program. MIT undergraduates combine computer science with humanities, arts, and social science research.
Story by SHASS Communications

 


Photo of Smriti Pramanick by Gretchen Ertl

"This project embodies what I love about computer science — its interdisciplinary nature — and combines with another passion: music. I am excited about this opportunity to learn more about signal processing and related topics through my SuperUROP project. It will also be a wonderful way to explore the intersection of music and technology."

— Smriti Pramanick, Music and Computer Science



NEWS & COMMENTARY
 

LINGUISTICS
A Remembrance of Morris Halle (1923-2018) | Memorial on May 5, 2018
"Though the loss of our friend, colleague, and guiding spirit, is unutterably sad, the memorial was — quite appropriately — a celebration.  The event was presided over by Jay Keyser, and the last speaker was Noam Chomsky, with whom Morris founded our linguistics program, and (many would say) our field in its modern form." — David Pesetsky
Webcast of the memorial


SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY + AERO-ASTRO
Professor Emeritus Leon Trilling dies at 93
Aeronautical engineer and historian of technology was an esteemed humanistic thinker and advocate for equality.
Story at MIT News


UNDARK MAGAZINE | KNIGHT SCIENCE JOURNALISM AT MIT 
Should scientists advocate on the issue of climate change?
Views differ on what, exactly, is the best way for scientists to advocate for societal action against climate change. What are the risks, and what are the moral obligations?
Story at Undark Magazine


INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
3 Questions: Vipin Narang on the North Korea summits
Nuclear strategy expert shares research-based insights on the recent North Korea-South Korea summit and possible outcomes of the North Korea-U.S. summit.
Interview by MIT Center for International Studies

 


Photo of Vipin Narang by Stuart Darsch



KNIGHT SCIENCE JOURNALISM AT MIT
Knight Science Journalism Program announces 2018-19 class of fellows
Ten top journalists from four countries will spend nine months at MIT, designing their own course of study.
Story by KSJ at MIT News
 

GLOBAL STUDIES & LANGUAGES
Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi presents moral vision in age of crisis
At inaugural event in the Chao Distinguished Buddhist Lecture Series, Bhikku Bodhi applied Buddhist ethics to today's social problems.
Story at MIT News
 

J-PAL | POVERTY ACTION LAB
Empowering refugees worldwide by providing tools for social change
New collaboration joins MITx MicroMasters, J-PAL, and MIT Refugee Action Hub.
Story by JPAL
 


 

HONORS AND AWARDS

To see all recent awards, visit In the Media / Awards.


Parag Pathak wins Clark Medal for best economist under 40
Story at MIT News | Story at Bloomberg: "A top prize for a theory that works"

Economist Amy Finkelstein elected to the American Academy of Sciences
Story at MIT News

Six outstanding SHASS teachers receive the 2018 Levitan Teaching Award
Bravo to: Eran Egozy, Elizabeth Wood, Olivia D’ Ambrosio, Shariann Lewitt, Mariana San Martín, and Arda Gitmez.
Story at SHASS News

Six members of the SHASS staff receive 2018 Infinite Mile Awards for 2018
Bravo to: Thomas Dattilo, Alicia Mackin, Nicole Paschal, Meghan Pepin, Kalina Schloneger, and Andrea Wirth.
Story at SHASS News

Political scientist Lily Tsai and philosopher Agustin Rayo receive MIT's Committed to Caring Award
Story at MIT News

Historian Malick Ghachem and anthropologist Stefan Helmreich selected as Radcliffe Institute Fellows
Story at the Radcliffe Institute
 



IN THE MEDIA

To see all featured media stories, visit In the Media.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY + PHYSICS
Free will and the most profound quantum mystery | David Kaiser
Do human beings have free will? Kaiser explains what a research collaboration by more than a hundred quantum physicists discovered.
Commentary at The New York Times

ECONOMICS
Economists warn Trump about tariffs with 1930s letter | Daron Acemoglu
Acemoglu signed the new letter because he believes the policies coming out of the White House “are bound to hurt most Americans.”
Commentary at Quartz

PHILOSOPHY
Philosophers should be keener to talk about the meaning of life | Kieran Setiya
"The idea that life has meaning is the idea that there is a truth of this extraordinary kind. Whether or not there is, the suggestion is not nonsense."

Commentary at Aeon Ideas
 


Detail from Portrait of Dr Gachet (1890), by Vincent van Gogh. Photo via Wikipedia



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Said and Done is published by SHASS Communications
Office of the Dean, MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Editor and Designer: Emily Hiestand, SHASS Communications
Publication Associate: Alison Lanier, SHASS Communiations
Published 16 May 2018