Building border walls and barriers: What the research says
Are border walls effective at deterring migrants? Do they harm wildlife? How are indigenous groups in the area impacted? We explain the research.
2020 Policy Guide
Expert Commentary
Decriminalizing unauthorized border crossing: What the research says
Some presidential candidates want to repeal a federal law that makes it a crime to cross the U.S. border without permission. We look at research on the law’s effectiveness and impact on migrants.
Expert Commentary
Pay gap between men and women: What the research says
Research shows that the pay gap in the U.S. narrowed in the 1980s and 1990s as women gained work and educational experience, but the gap persists today and has not changed much in recent years.
Expert Commentary
Carbon pricing: What the research says
Carbon pricing schemes are widely portrayed in the economic literature as an effective way to reduce carbon emissions and curb rising global temperatures.
Expert Commentary
Raising public school teacher pay: What the research says
While bigger paychecks don’t guarantee greater job satisfaction, academic studies indicate that when teacher earnings rise, school districts and students can benefit in a range of ways.
Expert Commentary
Paid family leave: What the research says
A quarter century of research finds paid parental leave can offer physical and mental health benefits for parents and children.
Expert Commentary
‘Free-college’ and ‘tuition-free’ programs: What the research says
While many politicians argue eliminating tuition will help more Americans go to college, studies show the results of “free college” programs differ according to their scope and structure.
Expert Commentary
Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour: What the research says
Nearly every 2020 Democratic candidate polling above half a percentage point nationally supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Most research finds small job losses from minimum wage hikes.
Expert Commentary