Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University
@ipratnu.bsky.social
The Institute for Policy Research is a nonpartisan, interdisciplinary social science research institute at Northwestern. We conduct research to improve lives. [email protected]
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Meet IPR's faculty experts, who conduct rigorous, interdisciplinary social science research for the common good:
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Gathering with friends and family this week? Disagreements are normal. IPR’s @elijfinkel.bsky.social says they can even be healthy when handled with care. Click here to learn more about Finkel's work helping us lean into our disagreements: spr.ly/633257UqnU
November 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Gathering with friends and family this week? Disagreements are normal. IPR’s @elijfinkel.bsky.social says they can even be healthy when handled with care. Click here to learn more about Finkel's work helping us lean into our disagreements: spr.ly/633257UqnU
Reposted by Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University
Examining the One Laptop Per Child program in Peruvian rural primary schools finds no significant effects on academic performance but some evidence of negative ones on grade progression, from Cueto, Beuermann, Cristia, Malamud, and Pardo www.nber.org/papers/w34495
November 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Examining the One Laptop Per Child program in Peruvian rural primary schools finds no significant effects on academic performance but some evidence of negative ones on grade progression, from Cueto, Beuermann, Cristia, Malamud, and Pardo www.nber.org/papers/w34495
As friends and families gather this Thanksgiving, we’re revisiting research by IPR’s Mary McGrath showing that a guided conversation about climate change with someone you trust—even when you disagree—can help both sides become more open to each other’s views. spr.ly/633207okII
Can Conversations with Friends Bridge the Partisan Divide on Climate Change?: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
New research by IPR political scientist Mary McGrath reveals that after going through four weekly guided discussions, pairs of friends and family members with opposite views about climate change were less polarized about their beliefs. People skeptical of climate change were more likely to see it as an issue that required action and that they believed in—a change that lasted at least three months after going through the intervention.
spr.ly
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
As friends and families gather this Thanksgiving, we’re revisiting research by IPR’s Mary McGrath showing that a guided conversation about climate change with someone you trust—even when you disagree—can help both sides become more open to each other’s views. spr.ly/633207okII
After the Supreme Court ended race-conscious affirmative action in 2023, “colorblind” policies are being promoted as the fairest way to make decisions in schools and hiring.
But equal treatment on paper doesn’t always lead to equal opportunity.
But equal treatment on paper doesn’t always lead to equal opportunity.
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
After the Supreme Court ended race-conscious affirmative action in 2023, “colorblind” policies are being promoted as the fairest way to make decisions in schools and hiring.
But equal treatment on paper doesn’t always lead to equal opportunity.
But equal treatment on paper doesn’t always lead to equal opportunity.
Millions still maintain, without evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen.”
Research by IPR visiting scholar @brendannyhan.bsky.social finds that fact-checking articles can change minds—but many Americans never see them. Read the full story: spr.ly/633257itqN
Research by IPR visiting scholar @brendannyhan.bsky.social finds that fact-checking articles can change minds—but many Americans never see them. Read the full story: spr.ly/633257itqN
Can We Fix 2020 Election Misinformation? : Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
IPR Visiting Scholar Brendan Nyhan explains that fact-checking can change minds—but only if people see it.
spr.ly
November 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Millions still maintain, without evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen.”
Research by IPR visiting scholar @brendannyhan.bsky.social finds that fact-checking articles can change minds—but many Americans never see them. Read the full story: spr.ly/633257itqN
Research by IPR visiting scholar @brendannyhan.bsky.social finds that fact-checking articles can change minds—but many Americans never see them. Read the full story: spr.ly/633257itqN
Interested in receiving information about policy-relevant research in your inbox? Sign up to get IPR's monthly newsletter with our latest stories. spr.ly/63325799vz
November 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Interested in receiving information about policy-relevant research in your inbox? Sign up to get IPR's monthly newsletter with our latest stories. spr.ly/63325799vz
Can a game make disagreement productive? @kelloggschoolnu.bsky.social's Steven Franconeri developed Point Taken, a game that turns heated debates into civil conversations using visual argument mapping. “Disagreement is good. Progress isn’t possible without it.” spr.ly/633247gRky
Northwestern professor’s game prods practice of productive disagreement
Point Taken enlists partisans in a quest to understand each other’s perspective
spr.ly
November 18, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Can a game make disagreement productive? @kelloggschoolnu.bsky.social's Steven Franconeri developed Point Taken, a game that turns heated debates into civil conversations using visual argument mapping. “Disagreement is good. Progress isn’t possible without it.” spr.ly/633247gRky
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by Ivuoma Onyeador on "But What About My Free Speech?: Free-Speech Appeals Reduce Accountability for Workplace Bias." spr.ly/61857XNUN
November 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by Ivuoma Onyeador on "But What About My Free Speech?: Free-Speech Appeals Reduce Accountability for Workplace Bias." spr.ly/61857XNUN
Did you know IPR is home to over 170 faculty members?
Get to know some of them through our faculty spotlights! These stories highlight what drives their passions and the important work they’re doing.
#FacultyFriday
spr.ly/633207wXYE
Get to know some of them through our faculty spotlights! These stories highlight what drives their passions and the important work they’re doing.
#FacultyFriday
spr.ly/633207wXYE
Faculty Spotlights: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
Visiting Scholars and Policy Fellows Programs
spr.ly
November 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Did you know IPR is home to over 170 faculty members?
Get to know some of them through our faculty spotlights! These stories highlight what drives their passions and the important work they’re doing.
#FacultyFriday
spr.ly/633207wXYE
Get to know some of them through our faculty spotlights! These stories highlight what drives their passions and the important work they’re doing.
#FacultyFriday
spr.ly/633207wXYE
Reposted by Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University
Making invisible inequality visible is how we know where to intervene. The arc of the moral universe doesn't bend itself—WE bend it.
📊 Policy brief: www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/po...
@ipratnu.bsky.social @npr.org @northwesternlaw.bsky.social
📊 Policy brief: www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/po...
@ipratnu.bsky.social @npr.org @northwesternlaw.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Making invisible inequality visible is how we know where to intervene. The arc of the moral universe doesn't bend itself—WE bend it.
📊 Policy brief: www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/po...
@ipratnu.bsky.social @npr.org @northwesternlaw.bsky.social
📊 Policy brief: www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/po...
@ipratnu.bsky.social @npr.org @northwesternlaw.bsky.social
Reposted by Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University
New policy brief through @ipratnu.bsky.social: Why "colorblind" policies fail to achieve meritocracy—even when employers are completely race-blind and workers have equal qualifications.
Especially in the current moment, many assume colorblindness guarantees fairness. My research proves it doesn't.
Especially in the current moment, many assume colorblindness guarantees fairness. My research proves it doesn't.
November 14, 2025 at 12:47 PM
New policy brief through @ipratnu.bsky.social: Why "colorblind" policies fail to achieve meritocracy—even when employers are completely race-blind and workers have equal qualifications.
Especially in the current moment, many assume colorblindness guarantees fairness. My research proves it doesn't.
Especially in the current moment, many assume colorblindness guarantees fairness. My research proves it doesn't.
Food and water insecurity are growing global challenges—and no country is immune. To help coordinate scalable solutions, @profserayoung.bsky.social co-organized the launch of the FoodWISE Asia Pacific Network in Sydney, building on her work in Latin America. spr.ly/633207XNcg
Forging Regional Networks to Measure Water's Hidden Connections: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
IPR anthropologist Sera Young teams up to create regional networks to track water insecurity Sera Young discusses the WISE scales at the launch of a new regional network in Sydney. Food and water insecurity are growing global challenges, and no country-no matter how wealthy-is immune.
spr.ly
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Food and water insecurity are growing global challenges—and no country is immune. To help coordinate scalable solutions, @profserayoung.bsky.social co-organized the launch of the FoodWISE Asia Pacific Network in Sydney, building on her work in Latin America. spr.ly/633207XNcg
Join us in Chambers Hall on Monday at noon for a talk by Ivuoma Onyeador on "But What About My Free Speech?: Free-Speech Appeals Reduce Accountability for Workplace Bias." spr.ly/633207V1y0
IPR Colloq.: I. Onyeador (IPR/Kellogg) - But What About My Free Speech?: Free Speech Appeals Reduce Accountability for Workplace Bias: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
IPR Colloq.: I. Onyeador (IPR/Kellogg) - But What About My Free Speech?: Free Speech Appeals Reduce Accountability for Workplace Bias
spr.ly
November 11, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Join us in Chambers Hall on Monday at noon for a talk by Ivuoma Onyeador on "But What About My Free Speech?: Free-Speech Appeals Reduce Accountability for Workplace Bias." spr.ly/633207V1y0
ATTENTION: Due to weather conditions, today's panel, "Making It Make Sense: Journalism’s Role in Translating Social Science for Policy and the Public," is CANCELLED.
We plan to reschedule and will share the new date as soon as we are able.
We plan to reschedule and will share the new date as soon as we are able.
How do journalists turn research into stories that shape policy and public understanding? Join @medillschool.bsky.social and IPR experts Louise Kiernan, @natalieymoore.bsky.social, and Charles Whitaker for a discussion on bridging journalism and social science. spr.ly/633267O6lG
November 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
ATTENTION: Due to weather conditions, today's panel, "Making It Make Sense: Journalism’s Role in Translating Social Science for Policy and the Public," is CANCELLED.
We plan to reschedule and will share the new date as soon as we are able.
We plan to reschedule and will share the new date as soon as we are able.
During an IPR/@trienensinst.bsky.social lecture, Ali Zaidi urged the audience to look past the “doom and gloom” of climate change and embrace its potential for transformation: “The impacts are here, the costs are mounting, but the solutions are so powerful.” spr.ly/633267P4Dn
Reimagining Climate Policy: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
In a Northwestern lecture, former White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi urged the audience to look beyond the “doom and gloom” of climate change and embrace its opportunities for transformation.
spr.ly
November 7, 2025 at 8:54 PM
During an IPR/@trienensinst.bsky.social lecture, Ali Zaidi urged the audience to look past the “doom and gloom” of climate change and embrace its potential for transformation: “The impacts are here, the costs are mounting, but the solutions are so powerful.” spr.ly/633267P4Dn
How do journalists turn research into stories that shape policy and public understanding? Join @medillschool.bsky.social and IPR experts Louise Kiernan, @natalieymoore.bsky.social, and Charles Whitaker for a discussion on bridging journalism and social science. spr.ly/633267O6lG
November 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
How do journalists turn research into stories that shape policy and public understanding? Join @medillschool.bsky.social and IPR experts Louise Kiernan, @natalieymoore.bsky.social, and Charles Whitaker for a discussion on bridging journalism and social science. spr.ly/633267O6lG
Can a game make disagreement productive? @kelloggschoolnu.bsky.social's Steven Franconeri developed Point Taken, a game that turns heated debates into civil conversations using visual argument mapping. “Disagreement is good. Progress isn’t possible without it.” spr.ly/6332773EJc
Northwestern professor’s game prods practice of productive disagreement
Point Taken enlists partisans in a quest to understand each other’s perspective
spr.ly
November 5, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Can a game make disagreement productive? @kelloggschoolnu.bsky.social's Steven Franconeri developed Point Taken, a game that turns heated debates into civil conversations using visual argument mapping. “Disagreement is good. Progress isn’t possible without it.” spr.ly/6332773EJc
Since the Columbine shooting in 1999, more than 394,000 students have witnessed gun violence at school. These events have not only claimed the lives of children as young as 6 years old, but they have also left a lasting impact on the survivors.
November 4, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Since the Columbine shooting in 1999, more than 394,000 students have witnessed gun violence at school. These events have not only claimed the lives of children as young as 6 years old, but they have also left a lasting impact on the survivors.
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by @polisciatnu.bsky.social's @danigilbert.bsky.social on "Blaming the Victim: Hostage Deservingness and the Politics of Hostage Recovery." spr.ly/633257K1Qx
Blaming the Victim: Hostage Deservingness and the Politics of Hostage Recovery: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
Visiting Scholars and Policy Fellows Programs
spr.ly
November 3, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by @polisciatnu.bsky.social's @danigilbert.bsky.social on "Blaming the Victim: Hostage Deservingness and the Politics of Hostage Recovery." spr.ly/633257K1Qx
Are you a night owl or an early bird? According to @nufeinbergmed.bsky.social's Kristen Knutson, it’s largely out of your control. She told @theguardian.com that we all have an internal biological clock that regulates our sleep, alertness, and other processes. spr.ly/633237HKZX
Night owls versus early birds: who is superior according to science?
And is it actually possible for your body clock to change? Am I really turning into an early bird or have I just been forced into a child-dictated schedule?
spr.ly
October 31, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Are you a night owl or an early bird? According to @nufeinbergmed.bsky.social's Kristen Knutson, it’s largely out of your control. She told @theguardian.com that we all have an internal biological clock that regulates our sleep, alertness, and other processes. spr.ly/633237HKZX
Food and water insecurity are growing global challenges—and no country is immune. To help coordinate scalable solutions, @profserayoung.bsky.social co-organized the launch of the FoodWISE Asia Pacific Network in Sydney, building on her work in Latin America. spr.ly/6332171715
Forging Regional Networks to Measure Water's Hidden Connections: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
IPR anthropologist Sera Young teams up to create regional networks to track water insecurity Sera Young discusses the WISE scales at the launch of a new regional network in Sydney. Food and water insecurity are growing global challenges, and no country-no matter how wealthy-is immune.
spr.ly
October 30, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Food and water insecurity are growing global challenges—and no country is immune. To help coordinate scalable solutions, @profserayoung.bsky.social co-organized the launch of the FoodWISE Asia Pacific Network in Sydney, building on her work in Latin America. spr.ly/6332171715
During an IPR/@trienensinst.bsky.social lecture, Ali Zaidi urged the audience to look past the “doom and gloom” of climate change and embrace its potential for transformation: “The impacts are here, the costs are mounting, but the solutions are so powerful.” spr.ly/633227EFV0
Reimagining Climate Policy: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
In a Northwestern lecture, former White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi urged the audience to look beyond the “doom and gloom” of climate change and embrace its opportunities for transformation.
spr.ly
October 29, 2025 at 9:17 PM
During an IPR/@trienensinst.bsky.social lecture, Ali Zaidi urged the audience to look past the “doom and gloom” of climate change and embrace its potential for transformation: “The impacts are here, the costs are mounting, but the solutions are so powerful.” spr.ly/633227EFV0
How do journalists turn research into stories that shape policy and public understanding? Join @medillschool.bsky.social and IPR experts Louise Kiernan, @natalieymoore.bsky.social, and Charles Whitaker for a discussion on bridging journalism and social science. spr.ly/633287DWBM
Journalism’s Role in Translating Social Science for Policy and the Public
Join IPR and Medill experts for a panel discussion on journalism’s role in translating social science for policy and the public.
spr.ly
October 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
How do journalists turn research into stories that shape policy and public understanding? Join @medillschool.bsky.social and IPR experts Louise Kiernan, @natalieymoore.bsky.social, and Charles Whitaker for a discussion on bridging journalism and social science. spr.ly/633287DWBM
ATTENTION: Today’s IPR colloquium at 12 p.m. has been cancelled.
We hope you’ll join us next week as we continue our colloquia series with @polisciatnu.bsky.social's Danielle Gilbert. We apologize for any inconvenience. spr.ly/633237BAOL
We hope you’ll join us next week as we continue our colloquia series with @polisciatnu.bsky.social's Danielle Gilbert. We apologize for any inconvenience. spr.ly/633237BAOL
Upcoming Events: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern University
IPR organizes a wide variety of events across the year from academic talks and distinguished lectures to workshops and trainings.
spr.ly
October 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
ATTENTION: Today’s IPR colloquium at 12 p.m. has been cancelled.
We hope you’ll join us next week as we continue our colloquia series with @polisciatnu.bsky.social's Danielle Gilbert. We apologize for any inconvenience. spr.ly/633237BAOL
We hope you’ll join us next week as we continue our colloquia series with @polisciatnu.bsky.social's Danielle Gilbert. We apologize for any inconvenience. spr.ly/633237BAOL
Are you a night owl or an early bird? According to @nufeinbergmed.bsky.social's Kristen Knutson, it’s largely out of your control. She told @theguardian.com that we all have an internal biological clock that regulates our sleep, alertness, and other processes. spr.ly/63324AhLB0
Night owls versus early birds: who is superior according to science?
And is it actually possible for your body clock to change? Am I really turning into an early bird or have I just been forced into a child-dictated schedule?
spr.ly
October 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Are you a night owl or an early bird? According to @nufeinbergmed.bsky.social's Kristen Knutson, it’s largely out of your control. She told @theguardian.com that we all have an internal biological clock that regulates our sleep, alertness, and other processes. spr.ly/63324AhLB0