Social Sciences

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

A diverse group of adults and children holding hands, standing on varying levels against a light blue background.

Why America’s Strategy For Reducing Racial Inequality Failed

Harvard professor Christina Cross debunks the myth of the two-parent Black family.

by Saima Sidik

Alison Wood Brooks

Get excited to perform well

Under pressure, getting excited yields better results than remaining calm.

by Erin O’Donnell

Hanoi’s streets (in 2007, above) are now full of motorcycles and scooters, and shop shelves are no longer bare.

Harvard and Vietnam’s economic development

During a quarter-century of engagement in Vietnam's economic development, Harvard scholars create a unique educational institution.

by John S. Rosenberg

The inscription below this bust of Vidyasagar quotes Rabindranath Tagore: “The chief glories of [his] character were neither his compassion nor his learning, but his invincible manliness and imperishable humanity.” The presence of a garland speaks to the reverence many still feel for the man.

Brief life of Indian reformer Ishvarchandra Vidyasagar, by Brian A. Hatcher

Brief life of an Indian reformer: 1820-1891

by Brian A. Hatcher

During a tour of a shantytown in the heart of São Paulo, a resident feigns a wedding proposal to HSPH’s Sarah MacDonald, as University of São Paulo's Ana Carolina Navarrete (left) and HSPH's Panji Hadisoemarto look on.

Harvard students interested in public health gain field experience in Brazil

Students spend their January term immersed in experiential learning.

John Briscoe

'Nobel Prize of Water' awarded to John Briscoe

'Nobel Prize of Water' given to Harvard professor for "unparalleled contributions" to global water resource management

Dariush Mozaffarian

What it costs to eat healthy food

With changed policies and food supply systems, healthy foods would cost less.

by Jonathan Shaw

Murray in 1962

Brief life of psychologist Henry A. Murray, by Marshall Getz

Brief life of a personality psychologist: 1893-1988

by Marshall J. Getz

Gary King’s study of social media uncovered massive government censorship in China.

Understanding big data leads to insights, efficiencies, and saved lives

Information science promises to change the world.

by Jonathan Shaw

Elaine Scarry

Nuclear weapons are incompatible with the U.S. constitution and democracy

“Out of ratio” weapons are essentially ungovernable.

by Craig Lambert

Daniel Kahneman and Cass Sunstein

Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman discusses life and work in behavioral economics

At Harvard, Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman discusses decisionmaking with Walmsley University professor Cass Sunstein of Harvard Law School.