Population Studies and Training Center
In the Media
Pacific Standard
Research Debunks the Myth that Mexican Immigrants Can’t Assimilate
A study by PSTC Associate and Professor of Sociology David Lindstrom finds that Mexican immigrants are learning English and regularly interacting with non-Mexicans at higher rates, the Pacific Standard reports.
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The practice of personalized learning is the latest ed-tech trend out of Silicon Valley. Associate Professor Matthew Kraft believes the new education model's claims to transform schools are exaggerated, he tells The New Yorker.
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The Washington Post
June 26, 2019
Democrats focus on victims, Republicans on perpetrators after mass shootings, study finds
Economics Professor Jesse Shapiro coauthors new research that shows difference in language used online by Republicans and Democrats when discussing mass shootings.
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New parents are given a lot of rules to follow, but little guidance for how to decide what is most important, writes Economics Professor Emily Oster in The Atlantic.
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Like many other progressive hopes, the teacher pay proposals from 2020 Democratic presidential candidates need a bit more focus, writes Associate Professor Matthew Kraft in a New York Times Op-Ed.
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Ed Tech Magazine
June 5, 2019
The 2019 Honor Roll: EdTech’s 30 Must-Read K–12 Education IT Influencers
Associate Professor Matthew Kraft recognized as a 2019 EdTech Influencer by "Ed Tech Magazine."
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Will an increase in teacher pay help improve student performance? Associate Professor John Friedman offers expertise on quantifying a teacher's value and the new education models for setting salary marks.
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The New York Times
May 23, 2019
There’s Evidence on How to Raise Children, but Are Parents Listening?
Day-to-day parenting choices matter less than we think, but national policies matter a lot, writes Economics Professor Emily Oster in NYT’s The Upshot.
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The New York Times
May 17, 2019
SAT Adversity Index: A Drive Toward Diversity Without Discussing Race
Associate Professor John Friedman comments on the SAT test's new adversity rating, saying "For each extra year you spend in a good environment, you do a little better. It’s very powerful when somebody overcomes that."
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Economics Professor Emily Oster critically discusses popular data regarding parenting choices and their effects on children in this New York Times Op-Ed.
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Research conducted by Associate Professor John Friedman was cited in an article commenting on the American college admissions process.
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Professor David Savitz was one of three scientists selected to serve on a Michigan panel that will enforce drinking water standards for the state.
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World Economic Forum
April 20, 2019
Evolution and economics: How natural selection helped kick start industrialisation
Brown Economics Professor Oded Galor and PSTC Visiting Scholar Marc Klemp discuss their work relating genealogical records to economic growth.
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New York Times
April 7, 2019
Congestion Pricing: N.Y. Embraced It. Will Other Clogged Cities Follow?
Brown Economics Professor Matthew Turner provides insight on congestion pricing.
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PSTC Postdoc Yun Zhou discusses gender inequality in China, particularly the implications of the one-child policy and its repeal.
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PSTC epidemiologist David Savitz comments on a new study on the cancer-causing potential of glyphosate herbicides.
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PSTC economist Glenn Loury discusses the persistence of racial inequality in the U.S. with Jason Riley at a Manhattan Institute event.
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"Kids who are supposed to be walking along streets with higher rates of violent crime are more likely to miss school," says Julia Burdick-Will, sociologist at Johns Hopkins University and a former PSTC postdoc.
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New York Times
February 12, 2019
The Biggest Economic Divides Aren’t Regional. They’re Local. (Just Ask Parents.)
The NYT cites research by PSTC economist John Friedman, noting neighborhoods explain "most of the geographic variation in upward mobility."
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Article cites study by PSTC economist Anna Aizer that finds youth who are imprisoned are less likely to finish school, more likely to offend again.
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PSTC economist Justine Hastings participated in a Brookings Institute forum on evidence-based policymaking.
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M Live
January 29, 2019
Trump administration won’t set legal limit for PFAS in drinking water, report says
EPA advisory limit for PFAS "may not provide a sufficient margin of safety" for drinking water, says PSTC epidemiologist David Savitz.
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WUSA9
January 28, 2019
'I offer myself': Vets urge committee to take serious look at anti-malaria drugs
A committee chaired by PSTC epidemiologist David Savitz heard from veterans Monday about the health effects of antimalarial drugs.
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PSTC demographer Elizabeth Fussell notes population "churning" following hurricane in Florida.
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Migrants may live longer and contribute more taxes, says a report co-authored by PSTC sociologist Michael J. White.
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PSTC economist John Friedman discusses with WPRI's Ted Nesi the interactive mapping tool he co-created.
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PSTC educators Matthew Kraft and John Papay ranked among those "who did the most last year to shape educational practice and policy."
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WUSA9
January 7, 2019
National Academies to study long-term psychiatric effects of antimalarial drugs
PSTC epidemiologist David Savitz named chair of committee to study possible long-term health effects of antimalarial drugs used by U.S. military.
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Pew: After the Fact Podcast
January 4, 2019
The American Dream: Does Your Zip Code Determine Your Destiny?
PSTC economist John Friedman discusses how the opportunity to move up the economic ladder depends a lot on where you live.
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PSTC economist Anna Aizer writes about the role fathers play in teenage childbearing and the importance of policies that consider not only mothers.
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Wired Japan
December 16, 2018
The root of economic disparity is attributed to East Africa ten thousands of years ago
Wired Japan features PSTC economist Oded Galor's unified growth theory as a "Break Through & Mind Changing Idea."
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The Red & Black
December 13, 2018
Lines in the sand: Database shows how future opportunity depends on quality of homebase
Research by PSTC economist John Friedman and his colleagues show that future opportunities depend on family and neighborhood characteristics.
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Research on teacher coaching by the PSTC's Matthew Kraft is named among top Education Next articles for the year.
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PSTC economist Emily Oster writes about c-sections and their effects on child and maternal health.
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PSTC anthropologist Jessaca Leinaweaver writes about poverty and child services custody cases.
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Research by Oded Galor finds people facing major climactic turbulence take greater risks than those who enjoy relative ecological stability.
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The interplay between cultural assimilation and cultural diffusion plays an important role in economic development, says research by Oded Galor.
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Research by PSTC economist John Friedman shows the difference a zip code can make in determining someone's chances of rising out poverty.
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Providence Journal
November 19, 2018
Brown’s mindfulness center combines ‘strong, strong research’ and traditional practices
PSTC epidemiologist Eric Loucks leads interdisciplinary center that aims to combine outstanding research with practice.
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Fast Company
November 15, 2018
How “Ban the Box” has helped (and hurt) the job prospects of people with criminal records
PSTC visiting scholar and economist Terry-Ann Craigie notes the overall positive effect the Ban the Box policies have had on employment for people with criminal records.
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Economist Emily Oster weighs in on balancing the potential effects of medication with maternal mental health.
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Economic mobility often hinges on factors such as race, neighborhood demographics and housing prices, not job growth, says research by John Friedman.
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MarketWatch
October 16, 2018
Why the deck is stacked against fathers in teen pregnancies—and their children
A new study by economist Anna Aizer examines fathers in teen pregnancies, noting they have lower levels of human capital and earnings.
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Providence Journal
October 11, 2018
Health disparities in R.I.: Wellness tied to race, income, education and ZIP code
The Opportunity Altas, published by economist John Friedman and colleagues, shows areas in RI that confirm the correlation between race and income.
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GeekWire
October 5, 2018
Gates Foundation announces $15M commitment to map neighborhoods that help kids out of poverty
The Gates Foundation commits $15M to Opportunity Insights, co-directed by economist John Friedman.
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New York Times
October 1, 2018
Detailed New National Maps Show How Neighborhoods Shape Children for Life
Big data research from economist John Friedman shows how neighborhoods matter for upward mobility.
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Omar Galarraga's research shows the importance of addressing social determinants of health.
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N-IUSSP
September 10, 2018
Marriage markets and assortative mating in first marriages and remarriages in the USA
Zhenchao Qian's research on marriage in the U.S. finds previously married individuals are disadvantaged in the marriage market.
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