Does Facebook drive political polarization? Data science and research
2015 study published in Science showing that Facebook’s News Feed algorithm has a limited effect on the kinds of political posts users view and consume.
Politics & Government
Research roundups, tip sheets, articles and explainers related to the topic of politics, elections, and local and national governments
Expert Commentary
Broadening coverage of Election 2016: Studies that can inform on gender, race, voting, inequality
2015 roundup of studies that can inform broader coverage of the presidential election cycle, with a focus on under-covered issues and themes.
Expert Commentary
Bikeshare systems: Recent research on their growth, users’ demographics and their health and societal impacts
2015 assessment of the state of research on bikeshare programs, with insight into user demographics, system growth, mode shift, and health and safety.
Expert Commentary
Comparing price and non-price approaches to urban water conservation
2014 and 2009 studies from U.C. Riverside, Yale and the Harvard Kennedy School on the relative merits of policies to encourage efficient use of scarce water resources.
Expert Commentary
Varieties of civic engagement in contemporary America
2015 research brief on the nature of civic undertakings such as housing advocacy and youth service networks, by Paul Lichterman of the University of Southern California and the Scholars Strategy Network.
Expert Commentary
Open data, government and citizen perceptions: First national survey, by the Pew Research Center 2015
2015 report from the Pew Research Center based on the first national survey testing responses to government openness projects and measuring public perceptions.
Expert Commentary
The Iran nuclear framework deal: A definitive, research-based guide from Harvard’s Belfer Center
April 2015 report from Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, “Decoding the Iran Nuclear Deal: Key Questions, Points of Divergence, Pros and Cons, Pending Legislation and Essential Facts.”
Expert Commentary
Racially divided communities, voting patterns and new research on threat perceptions
2015 study from Harvard showing how removing a large racial minority population from proximity with a nearby white group can produce different voting patterns and outcomes.
Expert Commentary
Electric vehicles, battery technology and renewable energy: Research roundup
2015 roundup of research on recent technological advances that could enable wider adoption of electrical vehicles powered by sustainable energy sources.
Expert Commentary
Why U.S. conservatives shape state legislation more effectively than liberals: Research brief
2015 research brief from Harvard University researchers outlining the different groups and networks that advance liberal and conservative policy agendas at the state level and analyzing the effectiveness of this party infrastructure.
Expert Commentary