The Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program sponsored a panel of current and former fellows, on the topic, “Changing Geopolitics, Violence, and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Emerging Challenges and Prospects for Peace,” featuring presentations based on the fellows’ program-supported projects. The panel was held during the European Conference on African Studies (ECAS), Prague, Czech Republic, from June 25 to 28, 2025. The panel addressed how changing global and regional geopolitics, involving the complex interplay of domestic and external actors, is impacting and shaping the trajectories of violent …

About the Lecture What if the key to police reform isn't changing policies or removing "bad actors," but understanding how good officers make decisions under pressure? Professor Dube argues that prevailing approaches to police reform overlook a fundamental reality: officers must make decisions under intense stress and time pressure—cognitive conditions that lead even well-intentioned officers to rely on mental shortcuts and default assumptions. Drawing on insights from behavioral economics, Professor Dube designed a new training approach that addresses these cognitive realities. Through a sustained partnership with the Chicago Police Department, she tested whether changing how officers think could transform how …

Event Details Event Date: December 12, 2025 Location: University of Southern California On Friday, December 12, 2025, the Social Science Research Council will convene institutional leaders from the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences, together with leaders of philanthropic organizations and other research partners, to discuss “The Case for the Social Sciences.” Universities are under immense pressure to demonstrate their value (and their values) to constituencies including governments, students, parents, and civil society. Recent changes in federal funding are symptomatic of, and increase, this pressure. In this context, this meeting will focus on the following questions: How do …

Event Details Event Date: December 12, 2025 Location: University of Southern California On Friday, December 12, 2025, the Social Science Research Council will convene institutional leaders from the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences, together with leaders of philanthropic organizations and other research partners, to discuss “The Case for the Social Sciences.” Universities are under immense pressure to demonstrate their value (and their values) to constituencies including governments, students, parents, and civil society. Recent changes in federal funding are symptomatic of, and increase, this pressure. In this context, this meeting will focus on the following questions: How do …