Kenya under the microscope
MIT economist Tavneet Suri explores finance, agriculture and even politics in her homeland of Kenya — and elsewhere in Africa.
Empowering women in Afghanistan
By placing some women in local leadership positions, an innovative development aid program integrates women into civic life, and may have economic benefits.
Micah Altman wins Pizzigati Prize
MIT Libraries’ research director recognized for his work with DistrictBuilder software
Nate Silver presents forecasting work as antidote to ‘terrible’ political pundits
In MIT talk, celebrated election forecaster offers critique of media, advice to students and hints about his future projects.
3 Questions: Charles Stewart ranks the voting systems in the 50 states
A new Pew Center project, spurred by MIT research, studies how well states run their elections.
MIT Libraries’ research contributes to award-winning redistricting software, DistrictBuilder
Web-based resource gives citizens the opportunity to participate in the redistricting process.
Explained: Margin of error
When you hear poll results reported with a certain margin of error, that’s only part of the story.
F. Daniel Hidalgo: it’s electric
The influence of electronic ballots on democracy in the developing world
Scholars ponder better ways to elect a president
National popular vote, alternate voting methods debated at MIT conference.
The state of the U.S. election system
New report from MIT and Caltech notes gains in voting-machine technologies, but warns they could be cancelled out by errors introduced through mail and Internet voting.
3 Questions: Charles Stewart sizes up the 2012 election
MIT political scientist and voting expert weighs in on the state of the presidential campaign, the shifting demographics of America, and the tossup U.S. Senate races.
Andrea Campbell: Public opinion and policy viewed through an historical lens
Professor studies taxation, Social Security, health insurance and more.