Social Sciences

Explore faculty and student work in economics, sociology, political science, anthropology, and other disciplines shaping our understanding of society.

FAS Overhaul Brings Deep Cuts to Social Sciences, Phillips Brooks House

After a final round of layoffs, University leaders say 165 staff jobs were eliminated across the division.

by Lydialyle Gibson

Picking Team Players

A test can identify these productivity-boosting personnel.

by Max J. Krupnick

Irene Soto Marín

Ancient history professor studies coins, ceramics, and Zelda.

by Max J. Krupnick

The Return of History

Ukrainian scholar Serhii Plokhy on the war in his home country

by Lydialyle Gibson

Tracing the Enslaved to Modern Descendants

A new technique for connecting ancient DNA to living relatives may have implications for institutions with legacies of slavery.

by Jonathan Shaw

Not-So-Free Parking

New book discusses how free parking spoiled cities for walkers, drivers, and residents

by Max J. Krupnick

Saving the News—and Democracy

Should government bolster the free press?

by Ryan Doan-Nguyen

Post-COVID Learning Losses

Children face potentially permanent setbacks

by Ryan Doan-Nguyen

When Wildfires Make Your Air Unhealthy

Joseph Allen emphasizes that retreating indoors is an incomplete solution.

by Ryan Doan-Nguyen

Nepotism’s Impact in the Job Market

How connections in blue-collar work disadvantage women and blacks

by Max J. Krupnick

Making Charitable Giving More Competent

How psychological insight can make altruism more rewarding and effective

by Colleen Walsh