Culture, institutions, and historical legacies shape the foundations of societies—deeply influencing economic outcomes, opportunity, and governance.
Individuals’ lives and prospects are shaped by inherited beliefs, social norms, and the institutional rules that guide behavior. At CID, our research in culture, institutions, and history investigates how cultural context, traditions, and historical events influence development and the effectiveness of policy.
Faculty affiliates from across Harvard examine how institutions evolve, how collective memory shapes present-day challenges, and how culture drives decision-making and social change. From studying the long-term impacts of colonialism to analyzing how trust and values affect institutions, CID researchers are producing insights to help build more equitable and resilient societies.
Harvard CID Faculty Affiliates Advancing Research on Culture, Institutions, & History
Marcella Alsan
Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Joseph Henrich
Ruth Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
David Yang
Yvonne P. L. Lui Professor of Economics, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Reshmaan Hussam
Ogunlesi Family Associate Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Awa Ambra Seck
Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Marlous van Waijenburg
Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
CID Faculty Affiliates
Discover the other Harvard CID faculty driving cutting-edge research in culture, institutions, and history.
CID Faculty Research Insights
Explore Harvard faculty research on development topics, distilled into actionable takeaways for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.
Harvard CID Faculty Publications
Explore the latest research from CID faculty affiliates on culture, institutions, and history, addressing how inherited beliefs, institutional structures, and historical legacies shape lives and opportunities. Discover insights into cultural influences on economic behavior, institutional evolution, and the lasting impact of history on current livelihoods. These data-driven studies inform policy and foster inclusive development.
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Explore research from CID affiliates on how culture, institutions, and history shape economic behavior, opportunity, and societal outcomes.
