Kinzer Presented 2020 Peace Leadership Award
September 22, 2020 Massachusetts Peace Action
On September 26, Stephen Kinzer will be presented with the 2020 Peace Leadership Award from Massachusetts Peace Action.
In the News
There’s one sure way that Yes could blow the fight for independence (Mark Blyth cited)
September 22, 2020 The Herald (Scotland)
This column discusses research by, and the opinions of, Mark Blyth.
Film, book explore church's role in Holocaust (David Kertzer cited)
September 22, 2020 San Diego Jewish World
This column draws from research gathered by David Kertzer.
U.S. household wealth hits record high even as economy struggles (John Friedman cited)
September 22, 2020 Associated Press
This article draws on data analysis by John Friedman, co-director of Opportunity Insights.
Opinion: Why development matters (co-written by J. Brian Atwood)
September 21, 2020 Devex
In this article, Brian Atwood discusses global health, development, and specific programs previously created to help prevent pandemics.
Metrics show consumers pulling back on spending in September as Congress debates second stimulus (John Friedman cited)
September 21, 2020 CNBC
Continuing coverage: This column draws on data analysis by John Friedman, co-director of Opportunity Insights.
Kids and Covid: Should I send my child to school with a cold – and everything else you need to know (commentary by Emily Oster)
September 21, 2020 The Telegraph
This article includes commentary from Emily Oster.
Dozens of little-known California oil spills have earned companies millions of dollars (commentary by Deborah Gordon)
September 18, 2020 The Desert Sun
Deborah Gordon offered commentary on California's Midway-Sunset field, where many surface oil spills occur.
An all-electric Houston would save lives and money: Report (interview with Deborah Gordon)
September 16, 2020 Governing
In this article, Deborah Gordon said a switch to electric vehicles should not make Houstonians who rely on the petrochemical industry nervous.
Back off of Venezuela already (written by Stephen Kinzer)
September 16, 2020 Boston Globe
Stephen Kinzer penned this column arguing that the American campaign against Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolás Maduro is only hurting the people of the country.
Work from home is ending. But the pandemic is still here. (written by Emily Oster)
September 16, 2020 Bloomberg
Emily Oster penned this column about working from home and reopening workplaces.
ASSIST and Project HOPE join forces to save lives (Project HOPE & CHRHS mentioned)
September 15, 2020 Manila Times
This piece discusses training courses based on a curriculum on COVID-19 prevention, triage, and treatment, developed by Project HOPE and the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies.
No country’s done well from socialism – why would Scotland be any different? (Mark Blyth cited)
September 15, 2020 The National
This column discusses, "Angrynomics," co-authored by Mark Blyth.
BP Says Oil Demand Could Be Almost Dead By 2050 (commentary by Deborah Gordon)
September 15, 2020 E&E
In this article, Deborah Gordon offered commentary on the business of the oil industry.
Hickenlooper and Gardner run low-visibility campaigns in high-stakes Senate race (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
September 14, 2020 Fort Morgan Times
In this article, Wendy Schiller offered commentary on Colorado's Senate race.
OPEC at 60: An oil cartel on life support (commentary by Jeff Colgan)
September 14, 2020 DW
In this article, Jeff Colgan offered commentary on OPEC.
Economist Emily Oster on how we can all make better pandemic decisions (interview with Emily Oster)
September 14, 2020 WBUR
In this podcast interview, Emily Oster discusses the data behind decisions on everything from sending children back to school to flying on an airplane.
What to Do When Predicting Pandemics (written by Reid Pauly)
September 14, 2020 Foreign Policy
This article, written by Reid Pauly, explains the importance of 'war games,' or the practice of simulating crisis in order to achieve a level of preparedness.
Spotty virus tracking in schools is leaving millions in the dark on infection rates (commentary by Emily Oster)
September 11, 2020 Politico
Emily Oster offers commentary on reopening schools during the pandemic.
DYSOM 9/9/2020: Richard Arenberg (interview with Richard Arenberg)
September 11, 2020 WPRI
In this interview, Richard Arenberg appeared on "Dan Yorke State of Mind" to discuss the presidential election and how it may affect local elections.
How much caffeine can you safely drink while pregnant? Maybe none. (commentary by Emily Oster)
September 10, 2020 Advisory Board
Emily Oster offered commentary on unclear outcomes in studies on caffeine and pregnancy.
Mail ballot count could take until Thursday (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
September 10, 2020 WJAR
Wendy Schiller offered commentary on the Rhode Island state primary.
Keeping it real in virtual learning (written by Jo-Anne Hart)
September 10, 2020 Providence Journal
Visiting Scholar Jo-Anne Hart penned this opinion piece about the potential for deep virtual connection between students and faculty.
Maria Kolsnikova detained at Ukrainian border (interview with Michael Kennedy)
September 9, 2020 BBC World News
In this brief interview, Kennedy addresses the news of the day around Lukashenko's recent interview with Russia Today, Maria Kolesnikova's kidnapping, refusal of forced exile, and detention, and alternative futures for Belarus.
Her school offered a path to the middle class. Will Covid-19 block it? (John Friedman cited)
September 9, 2020 New York Times
This article notes that in 2017, a team of economists led by John Friedman published a paper that issued "mobility report cards" to more than 2,000 American colleges and universities, grading each one on its effectiveness in elevating low-income students into the upper middle class and beyond.
Covid-19 doesn't have to cancel Halloween (written by Emily Oster)
September 9, 2020 Washington Post
Emily Oster penned this opinion piece on how Halloween is still possible this year, if the public adopts the right precautions.
At Least 37 Million People Have Been Displaced by America’s War on Terror (Costs of War report cited)
September 8, 2020 New York Times
This article states, "At least 37 million people have been displaced as a direct result of the wars fought by the United States since Sept. 11, 2001, according to a new report from Brown University’s Costs of War project."
Record number of voters request mail ballots in statewide primary (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
September 8, 2020 The Public's Radio
In this article, Wendy Schiller offered commentary on voting by mail.
Why this high-flying Scot's new book has made him the talk of Washington (Mark Blyth mentioned)
September 8, 2020 The National
This column focuses on Angrynomics, co-authored by Mark Blyth.
There's a lack of data on COVID-19 in schools across the nation. An economist is trying to change that. (Emily Oster mentioned)
September 8, 2020 Insider
This article mentions that Emily Oster and a team of researchers are partnering to create a nationwide database that maps schools' pandemic responses across the United States.
There's one lesson for schools in the pandemic — there are no easy answers (commentary by Emily Oster)
September 3, 2020 CNN
In this article, Emily Oster discusses making informed decisions during the pandemic about sending children back to school.
Baystate Business: Kennedy-Markey aftermath (interview with Wendy Schiller)
September 3, 2020 Bloomberg
In this podcast interview, Wendy Schiller analyzes the Kennedy-Markey battle in Massachusetts and the implications of Markey's win.
Obama’s ‘biggest mistake’ is still wreaking havoc (written by Stephen Kinzer)
September 3, 2020 Boston Globe
Stephen Kinzer penned this column arguing that the bombing of Libya scattered weapons across Africa and worsened instability in the region.
With election and shutdown risk looming, pressure grows for stimulus deal (commentary by Richard Arenberg)
September 3, 2020 ABC6
Richard Arenberg in ABC6, "I believe that the political pressures generated by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the deepening economic crisis will likely end in a compromise."
Some school districts are willing to open up public schools — for a price (Emily Oster cited)
September 2, 2020 USA Today
This article references an informal survey on child care centers by Emily Oster.
Pope Pius XII ignored advice to stand up for Jews (commentary by David Kertzer)
September 1, 2020 The Times (UK)
In this article, David Kertzer offers commentary on Pope Pius' reaction to Nazi-led deportations during World War II.
Our view: The Nazi past still with us (David Kertzer cited)
September 1, 2020 Durango Herald
This editorial draws from information reported by David Kertzer about the newly available Vatican documents.
'Two visions of the US': Trump and Biden offer contrasts on race, Covid and economy (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
August 31, 2020 The Guardian
In this article, Wendy Schiller offered commentary on the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.
Edtech failed the pandemic test (Opportunity Insights cited)
August 31, 2020 Marker
This article draws on data from Opportunity Insights, co-directed by John Friedman.
Records from once-secret archive offer new clues into Vatican response to Holocaust (interview with David Kertzer)
August 31, 2020 NPR
In this article, David Kertzer details how newly available Vatican documents reveal the private discussions behind both Pope Pius XII’s silence about the Nazi deportation of Rome’s Jews in 1943 and the Vatican’s postwar support for the kidnapping of two Jewish boys whose parents had perished in the Holocaust.
‘We have to try and fill those gaps’: Economist helps to launch online virus info tool (interview with Emily Oster)
August 31, 2020 MSNBC
In this interview, Emily Oster discusses a nationwide database she's helping to create that maps schools’ pandemic responses across the United States.
Repeal-Proofing the Biden Administration (written by Eric Patashnik)
August 31, 2020 Washington Monthly
Eric Patashnik wrote this article discussing Biden's political agenda and what it will take to withstand opposition.
Defund the Police? Here come the private security patrols (Costs of War project cited)
August 28, 2020 Ozy
Neta Crawford, co-director of the Costs of War Project, provides commentary in Ozy, "Essentially, you’ve got a problem every society has: What do you with the violent individual you’ve trained to be violent, when they are no longer meant to be violent anymore?"
Sovereign interest in ETFs on the rise as wrapper passes coronavirus test (Mark Blyth cited)
August 28, 2020 ETF Stream
This article discusses ideas and research in Angrynomics, co-authored by Mark Blyth.
Unsealed Archives Give Fresh Clues to Pope Pius XII’s Response to the Holocaust (interview with David Kertzer)
August 28, 2020 New York Times
In this article, David Kertzer discusses his findings at the Vatican when World War II era archives were unsealed this past spring.
Some Gases Far, Far Greener Than Others (Deborah Gordon research cited)
August 27, 2020 Energy Intelligence
Deborah Gordon's research cited in Energy Intelligence, "Natural gas resources have life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions that are just as wide-ranging as oil. In fact, depending on the asset and how it is managed, some of those resources are much worse for the climate than oil."
Economist uses data-driven approach to advise parents about risks of COVID-19 (interview with Emily Oster)
August 27, 2020 WBUR
Emily Oster discusses how relying on data can help parents make informed decisions during the pandemic.
The Pope, the Jews, and the secrets in the archives (written by David Kertzer)
August 27, 2020 The Atlantic
In this article, David Kertzer details how newly available Vatican documents — reported here for the first time — reveal the private discussions behind both Pope Pius XII’s silence about the Nazi deportation of Rome’s Jews in 1943 and the Vatican’s postwar support for the kidnapping of two Jewish boys whose parents had perished in the Holocaust.
British schools reopened with little covid-19 spread, new data show (commentary by Emily Oster)
August 27, 2020 Washington Post
Emily Oster offered commentary on a new report from the United Kingdom about what happened when students returned to school.
Should you send your child back to school during the pandemic? (Emily Oster cited)
August 27, 2020 New Yorker
Emily Oster weighs the risks and benefits of sending children back to school during the pandemic.
In or out of the classroom, back to school could be dangerous for some (commentary by Emily Oster)
August 25, 2020 BNN Bloomberg
Emily Oster offered commentary about returning to school during the pandemic.
If Biden wins, what’s next for Governor Raimondo? (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
August 25, 2020 Boston Globe
Wendy Schiller said that secretary of the treasury or commerce are the jobs R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo would most likely be considered for in a Biden administration.
Is caffeine unsafe for pregnant women? New research creates discussion (written by Emily Oster)
August 25, 2020 Today
Emily Oster offered commentary on unclear outcomes in studies on caffeine and pregnancy.
How the media has us thinking all wrong about the coronavirus (written by Emily Oster)
August 25, 2020 Washington Post
Emily Oster penned this opinion piece about media coverage of COVID-19.
What the recovery really looks like (Opportunity Insights cited)
August 24, 2020 Forbes
This column draws on data analysis by John Friedman which shows that low wage jobs remain in short supply amid COVID-19.
Dealing with the pandemic has become an emotional mindf*ck (Emily Oster cited)
August 24, 2020 Yahoo! Finance
This article references a risk assessment system created by Emily Oster.
For COVID-19 facts, first impressions matter (commentary by Rob Blair)
August 21, 2020 The Verge
Rob Blair in The Verge, "What we have is inconsistent messaging, sometimes from the same source."
Oil could keep US in the Middle East for a very long time (written by Stephen Kinzer)
August 21, 2020 Boston Globe
Stephen Kinzer penned this column arguing that an American company intending to extract oil from Syria as part of a deal is likely to become justification for an ongoing military presence in the region.
Why has New England handled the pandemic so well? Thank the Puritans. (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
August 21, 2020 Christian Science Monitor
In this article, Wendy Schiller says the "all-in-this-together" attitude is a fundamental part of New England’s political culture, predating party politics.
Five questions with Emily Oster (interview with Emily Oster)
August 21, 2020 Providence Business News
This interview with Emily Oster focuses on the role data plays in reporting and controlling the pandemic.
The U.S. has two economies. How much longer will the losing side stand for that? (Opportunity Insights cited)
August 21, 2020 Washington Post
This article cites Opportunity Insights, determining that low wage jobs remain in short supply amid COVID-19.
Preacher of the new antiracist gospel (written by ZZ Packer)
August 20, 2020 GQ
Senior Fellow ZZ Packer wrote this profile on Ibram X. Kendi, director of the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University.
Dems should keep focus on healthcare, COVID (interview with Wendy Schiller)
August 20, 2020 Bloomberg
In this radio segment, Wendy Schiller discusses the Democratic National Convention and her current forecast for the election.
Analysis reveals low wage jobs remain in short supply (interview with John Friedman)
August 20, 2020 Yahoo! Finance
In this interview, John Friedman breaks down his new analysis of the labor market which shows that low wage jobs remain in short supply amid COVID-19.
The black part of Kamala Harris’s identity is bound to be bigger, but the Indian part will not be suppressed (written by Ashutosh Varshney)
August 20, 2020 Indian Express
In this article, Ashutosh Varshney explores Kamala Harris' racial background and why it's generating excitement throughout the country.
Unintended consequences of killing the filibuster (written by Richard Arenberg)
August 19, 2020 The Hill
Richard Arenberg penned this column about the purpose of the filibuster.
Kamala Harris Leaves Young South Asians Divided (commentary by Prerna Singh)
August 19, 2020 The Juggernaut
In this article, Prerna Singh provides commentary on the diverse impact of Gen Z voters based on recent experiences with movements such as Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and others.
Coronavirus is spreading in schools, but the federal government isn't keeping count (commentary by Emily Oster)
August 18, 2020 NBC News
In this article, Emily Oster offered commentary on how the absence of comprehensive testing and contact tracing in schools is hampering efforts to identify which safety practices can best prevent cases in schools from spreading.
CTV News Interview on Kamala Harris (interview with Prerna Singh)
August 17, 2020 CTV News
In this interview, Prerna Singh discusses the impact of Kamala Harris on the Biden campaign.
The recession is over for the rich, but the working class is far from recovered (commentary by John Friedman)
August 17, 2020 Washington Post
John Friedman in The Washington Post, "The recession is nearly over for high-wage workers, but low-wage workers are no more than half-recovered."
Montana consumer spending down; Missoula Food Bank sees surge in demand (Opportunity Insights cited)
August 13, 2020 Fairfield Sun Times
This article draws on data from Opportunity Insights, co-directed by John Friedman.
60% of parents say they know what their fall childcare plans are (interview with Emily Oster)
August 13, 2020 HuffPost
In this interview, Emily Oster focuses on how to think through decisions related to how they'll handle childcare or school in the fall.
How a Biden win could change the course of America's coronavirus pandemic (commentary by Wendy Schiller)
August 13, 2020 Newsweek
In this article, Wendy Schiller offered commentary on the transition between presidencies if Joe Biden were to be elected.
CTV News on Kamala Harris (interview with Prerna Singh)
August 13, 2020 CTV News
In this interview, Prerna Singh discusses the positive impact, as well as pressures, attributed to Kamala Harris as potential vice president.
Why it's okay to be mad about the current economic crisis and what we can do about it (interview with Mark Blyth)
August 12, 2020 The David McWilliams Podcast
In this interview, Mark Blyth and co-author Eric Lonergan discuss their new book, Angrynomics.
Horowitz: Data on child care and camps shows remarkably low risk among children (Emily Oster cited)
August 12, 2020 The Blaze
This op-ed references research by Emily Oster
Thought control and cancel culture overtakes colleges and universities (commentary by Glenn Loury)
August 11, 2020 Washington Times
This article references commentary by Glenn Loury.
Jair Bolsonaro is pushing Brazil's democracy to its breaking point (commentary by James N. Green)
August 11, 2020 HuffPost
In this article, James N. Green provided commentary on the current political, economic and public health crisis in Brazil.
In 2020, back-to-school shopping means frantically searching for other families to ‘bubble up’ with (commentary by Emily Oster)
August 10, 2020 Washington Post
In this article, Emily Oster argues against "pandemic pods," because of the potential of exacerbating inequalities in education.
Return to R.I. classrooms will be driven by the numbers (commentary by Emily Oster)
August 10, 2020 Providence Journal
This article includes commentary from Professor Emily Oster.
The economy reimagined, Pt. I: Dealing with inequality (interview with Mark Blyth)
August 10, 2020 Marketplace
This radio segment featuring Mark Blyth focuses on changes that could help ease economic inequality.
What's the right way to get back to school? (commentary by Emily Oster)
August 10, 2020 Bloomberg
This article includes commentary from Emily Oster on safely sending children back to school.
On the ballot: An end to forever wars (written by Stephen Kinzer)
August 10, 2020 Boston Globe
Stephen Kinzer penned this column positing that the fall election could be a turning point in American foreign policy.
Sending kids back to school is the scariest test: Coronavirus Q&A (interview with Emily Oster)
August 6, 2020 Bloomberg
Emily Oster provided commentary about reopening schools in this article.
Can N.Y.C. Reopen Schools? The Whole Country Is Watching (commentary by Emily Oster)
August 5, 2020 New York Times
Emily Oster in The New York Times, "It’s now or never...Either you do it for September, or no one is opening until there’s a vaccine."
Desperation, misery in Indian Kashmir a year after clampdown (commentary by Ashutosh Varshney)
August 4, 2020 New Straits Times
Ashutosh Varshney offered commentary in this article.
What's the deal with kids and the coronavirus: Five leading theories (commentary by Emily Oster)
August 3, 2020 Elemental
This article features commentary by Emily Oster.
New currency is only way for independence, says expert (commentary by Mark Blyth)
August 3, 2020 The Times (UK)
In this article, Mark Blyth believes Scotland must create its own currency to make a success of leaving the union.
High-frequency data sources for tracking the U.S. pandemic economy (Opportunity Insights mentioned)
July 31, 2020 Reuters
Opportunity Insights, co-created by John Friedman and other Brown colleagues, is included on this list.
I'm a new dad scared about pandemic-era daycare safety. There's only one expert I wanted to call. (interview with Emily Oster)
July 31, 2020 Mother Jones
This interview with Emily Oster covers daycare safety, COVID-19 in children and returning to school.
Should Schools Reopen? Emily Oster brings the data. (interview with Emily Oster)
July 30, 2020 Yang Speaks
In this interview, Emily Oster discusses the data behind reopening schools.
COVID misinformation is spreading fast. Emily Oster has the vaccine. (interview with Emily Oster)
July 30, 2020 Fatherly
This interview with Emiy Oster covers misinformation and how to research reliable, credible facts about COVID-19.
How to handle anxiety over back-to-school decisions (Emily Oster cited)
July 30, 2020 New York Times
This article references previous writings of Emily Oster on some of the biggest questions parents have right now about how to safely address caregiving for their families.
Granville parent starts ‘mini pods’ for home learning during coronavirus (commentary by Emily Oster)
July 30, 2020 The Columbus Dispatch
This article includes commentary from Emily Oster on new forms of homeschooling called "micro schooling" and "pandemic pods."
The Breathtaking Hypocrisy of the US Condemning an Afghan Air Strike (Costs of War project cited)
July 29, 2020 Common Dreams
The Costs of War project is cited in Common Dreams, "According to the Brown University Watson Institute Costs of War Project, more than 43,000 Afghan civilians have been killed during the 18-year U.S.-led war."
Emily Oster on Whether and How to Reopen Schools (interview with Emily Oster)
July 28, 2020 The New Yorker
In this interview, Emily Oster reviews the dangers of in-person classes.
What Will Schools Do When a Teacher Gets Covid-19? (written by Emily Oster)
July 28, 2020 New York Times
In this article, Emily Oster discusses the potential of teachers and other school community members becoming infected with Covid-19.
Here's why the $600 weekly jobless benefit meant so much to the U.S. economy (Opportunity Insights cited)
July 27, 2020 Star Tribune
This article cites figures from an Opportunity Insights report co-created by John Friedman and other Brown colleagues.
The false economy of simple solutions (Mark Blyth mentioned)
July 27, 2020 Reuters
This review focuses on "Angrynomics," co-authored by Mark Blyth.
Private ‘school pods’ are coming. They’ll worsen inequality. (written by Emily Oster)
July 27, 2020 Washington Post
In this op-ed, Emily Oster discusses new forms of homeschooling called "micro schooling" and "pandemic pods."
Who gets to be Italian? (interview with Emily Oster)
July 27, 2020 The New Yorker
In this radio segment, Emily Oster reviews what we do and don’t know about the dangers of in-person classes.
Please Don’t Quit Your Job to Home-School Your Kid (Emily Oster mentioned)
July 27, 2020 Bloomberg Opinion
This article mentions Emily Oster's tips for home-based DIY classrooms and advice on homeschooling.
1,000 R.I. lives lost to the coronavirus — how do we make sense of it? (commentary by Michael Kennedy)
July 24, 2020 Providence Journal
Michael Kennedy offered commentary on the 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths in Rhode Island.
Trump’s Portland tactics are the stuff we decry in other countries (written by Stephen Kinzer)
July 24, 2020 Boston Globe
Stephen Kinzer penned this column arguing that using unidentified paramilitary squads to maintain order is deeply anti-democratic.
Prioritizing safety as child care providers reopen and the market grows (Emily Oster mentioned)
July 24, 2020 Forbes
This article references research by Emily Oster.
The Pros and Cons of Reparations (interview with Glenn Loury)
July 23, 2020 Freakonomics
In this podcast interview, Glenn Loury discusses racial gaps and the idea of reparations in America.