Research Insights are bite-sized, usable takeaways from HKS faculty working papers, peer-reviewed articles, and other publications. We include a sample here that cover different policy topics—from the link between education and pay to the connections between political affiliation and housing policy. You can find more Research Insights on our Policy Topics page.
There is a difference between feeling heard and being heard. HKS Associate Professor Julia Minson and colleagues conducted studies that found people overestimate the attentiveness of listeners.
Parents play a role in leading boys and girls down different paths of study
HKS Assistant Professor of Public Policy Michela Carlana and Lucia Corno from Cattolica University in Italy studied 2000 middle school students to examine the role of parents in encouraging gender-stereotyped academic paths.
Featuring Michela Carlana
Centralization trend in global urban transportation systems can yield data to help make those systems more efficient and popular
A team of researchers, including HKS’s Rema Hanna, believe this case study demonstrates the potential role of data-driven urban transport network design in planning thriving cities around the world.
Featuring Rema Hanna
An unexpected benefit from globalization: Improved corporate tax collection for developing countries
Utilizing a new global database of effective tax rates on capital and labor, researchers including Harvard Kennedy School Associate Professor of Public Policy Anders Jensen found that, in at least one area, conventional wisdom about globalization's effects has been turned on its head.
Featuring Anders Jensen
People are more likely to respond to formal rather than informal government communications
Researchers, including Associate Professor Elizabeth Linos and Jessica Lasky-Fink from Harvard Kennedy School’s People Lab, found that letters using a more formal design and tone were seen as more trustworthy and important than less formal messages.
Featuring Elizabeth Linos
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Illustration by Bailey Meadows