Population Studies and Training Center
In the Media
The Boston Globe
Miracle on the Mystic: Chelsea, Everett, and the New American Dream
"The Opportunity Atlas: Mapping the Childhood Roots of Social Mobility," a study coauthored by Economist John Friedman.
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BBC Radio
The Problem with Boys
Why are boys failing at school? What can be done about it? And, can experts agree on root causes? Jayanti Owens provides commentary based on her education and gender research.
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Washington Examiner
What do you think of the economy? Depends on which party you're in
Jesse Shapiro provides insight on political polarization.
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Partly filmed at the PSTC, Economist Emily Oster reveals key data points that challenge conventional parenting wisdom.
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Scientific American
Debate Arises over Teaching “Growth Mindsets” to Motivate Students
Research shows conflicting data on the impact of the intervention, but a major new study confirms it can work. PSTC Educational Economist Matthew Kraft provided commentary for this article.
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Idaho Press article references the work of PSTC Anthropologist and Epidemiologist Stephen McGarvey, who studies obesity in the South Pacific.
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A study led by Associate Professor Matthew Kraft, which found text messages sent to parents of elementary school children helped encourage children to take part in literacy activities during the summer months, was featured.
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Current research led by PSTC Sociologist Michael White is referenced for its work advancing the understanding of how migration and urbanization impact population health in South Africa.
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Economist Emily Oster addresses the practicalities and logistics of parenting and working.
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An analysis led by PSTC Associate Jayanti Owens found that different treatment of black and white students accounted for half of the racial gap in school suspensions and expulsions among 5- to 9-year-old children.
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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 New Yorker
The Messy Reality of Personalized Learning
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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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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The Atlantic
When Parents Try to Do It All, They Do It Poorly
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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The New York Times
What Will Teacher Raises Buy Students?
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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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
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
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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The New York Times
The Data All Guilt-Ridden Parents Need
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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The Atlantic
College-Admissions Hysteria Is Not the Norm
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
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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Brown Economics Professor Matthew Turner provides insight on congestion pricing.
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CSCC Podcasts
Gender Inequality in China
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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"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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City Journal
Barriers to Black Progress
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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The NYT cites research by PSTC economist John Friedman, noting neighborhoods explain "most of the geographic variation in upward mobility."
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The Good Men Project
Overcrowded Prisons – Nightmare Nests
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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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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A committee chaired by PSTC epidemiologist David Savitz heard from veterans Monday about the health effects of antimalarial drugs.
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Panama City News Herald
Churning, yes, but no exodus
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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News from Brown
Highlighting Brown’s distinction in economics
PSTC economists noted for their use of data in economics research.
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Fox Providence
Executive Suite 1/10/2019: Shawmut; Opportunity Atlas
PSTC economist John Friedman discusses with WPRI's Ted Nesi the interactive mapping tool he co-created.
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Education Week
The 2019 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings
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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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
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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Vox, CEPR Policy Portal
Why children of teen mothers do worse in life
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 features PSTC economist Oded Galor's unified growth theory as a "Break Through & Mind Changing Idea."
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Research by PSTC economist John Friedman and his colleagues show that future opportunities depend on family and neighborhood characteristics.
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Winnipeg Free Press
Peru's child-welfare warning
PSTC anthropologist Jessaca Leinaweaver writes about poverty and child services custody cases.
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Education Next
The Top 20 Education Next Articles of 2018
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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Pacific Standard
How a Volatile Climate Shapes the Way People Think
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 New Times
Cultural diversity and economic growth in Africa
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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PSTC epidemiologist Eric Loucks leads interdisciplinary center that aims to combine outstanding research with practice.
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