Social Sciences

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

Former Homeland Security Chief Says ICE and CBP Have “Lost Their Way”

At Kennedy School talk, Jeh Johnson advocates restructuring “outdated” DHS.

by Lydialyle Gibson

Why Do Groups Hate?

Mina Cikara explores how people come into conflict, in politics and beyond

by Max J. Krupnick

Can Plants Sequestering Carbon Slow Climate Change?

How long will the world’s forests impound carbon below ground?

by Jonathan Shaw

Homelessness Is a Crisis of Public Health

In our fragmented system, loss of housing leads to mental and physical deterioration. Some new initiatives aim to connect the remedies.

by Lydialyle Gibson

How is Artificial Intelligence Being Taught at Harvard?

A new Harvard course on artificial intelligence teaches students how to use the tool responsibly.

by Jonathan Shaw

Private Equity in Medicine and the Quality of Care

Hundreds of U.S. hospitals are owned by private equity firms—does monetizing medicine affect the quality of care?

by Colleen Walsh

Universities in Public Debates

Institutional position-taking at Harvard and in higher education

by Jonathan Shaw

How Air Pollution Affects Our Brains

An expert Harvard panel discusses the links between air pollution and dementia, learning, mental health, and mood.

by Jonathan Shaw

The Immigrant Experience

Glenda Carpio on the new migration narrative

by Nina Pasquini

Controlling AI Influence Over Consumers

When pricing algorithms take advantage of an individual’s ignorance, legal scrutiny is in order.

by Max J. Krupnick

Geopolitics and the Energy Transition

International relations during the shift to a net-zero economy

by Jonathan Shaw