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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250227T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250227T160000
DTSTAMP:20250305T185914Z
CREATED:20250130T091317Z
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UID:10000880-1740668400-1740672000@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Neighborhood Effects\, Housing Mobility\, and Place-Based Policies: Evidence from Experiments and Quasi-Experiments
DESCRIPTION:About the Lecture\nFor decades\, Harvard professor Lawrence Katz has worked with federal and local housing agencies to learn how public housing policy might more effectively support economic opportunity. This lecture will cover his work on three landmark projects: Moving to Opportunity\, enabling residents of public housing to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods; Creating Moves to Opportunity\, providing additional support to families considering leaving high-poverty neighborhoods; and HOPE VI revitalization grants\, investing in mixed-income developments in neighborhoods with distressed public housing. Professor Katz’s pathbreaking work on these projects demonstrates how collaborations between researchers and government agencies can improve the delivery of important public goods and services. \nEvent Recording\n \nAbout the Speaker\nLawrence F. Katz is the Elisabeth Allison Professor of Economics at Harvard University and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research focuses on issues in labor economics and the economics of social problems. He is the author (with Claudia Goldin) of The Race between Education and Technology (Harvard University Press\, 2008). \nKatz has been studying the impacts of neighborhood poverty on low-income families as the principal investigator of the long-term evaluation of the Moving to Opportunity program\, a randomized housing mobility experiment. His past research has explored a wide range of topics including U.S. and comparative wage inequality trends\, educational wage differentials and the labor market returns to education\, the impact of globalization and technological change on the labor market\, the economics of immigration\, unemployment and unemployment insurance\, regional labor markets\, the evaluation of workforce training and other labor market programs\, the problems of low-income neighborhoods\, and the social and economic consequences of the birth control pill. \nProfessor Katz has been editor of the Quarterly Journal of Economics since 1991 and served as the Chief Economist of the U.S. Department of Labor for 1993 and 1994. He is the current President of the American Economic Association\, the Co-Founder and past Co-Scientific Director of J-PAL North America\, past President of the Society of Labor Economists\, and has been elected a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences\, American Academy of Arts and Sciences\, the Econometric Society\, and the Society of Labor Economists. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1981 and earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1985.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/neighborhood-effects-housing-mobility-and-place-based-policies/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250228
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250302
DTSTAMP:20250317T192031Z
CREATED:20250317T160220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250317T192031Z
UID:10000891-1740700800-1740873599@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:2025 APN & Next Gen | MUST National Grant Writing and Proposal Development Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Blantyre\, Malawi \nFrom February 28 to March 1\, the African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC)\, in partnership with the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)\, held the 2025 National Grant Writing and Proposal Development Workshop at the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre\, Malawi. \nOn Friday\, the workshop began with an opening ceremony\, including welcome remarks from Master of Ceremonies: Enerst Longwe (Lecturer\, Language and Communication Studies Department\, MUST)\, Dr. Ignasio Jimu (Head of Department\, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices\, MUST)\, Dr. Cyril Obi (Program Director\, APN and Next Gen)\, and Guest of Honor Dr. Michael Zimba (Executive Dean\, Malawi Institute of Technology). \nThey thanked the participants for coming and expressed the importance of African scholars and researchers honing their research skills through learning and collaborating with esteemed colleagues. Afterward\, a group photo was taken on the upper deck. \nThe Keynote Lecture of the day\, “Research Conceptual Frameworks\,” was delivered by Professor David Mkwambisi\, Director of Malawi Innovation and Industrial Research Institute (MIIRI).\nThroughout his lecture\, Professor Mkwambisi encouraged participants to “think the thinking and the thinking” — engaging deeply and critically about how we think\, especially regarding epistemology\, and how ideas (including the ideas of others) are formed. He also informed the participants on how to differentiate between theoretical frameworks and conceptual frameworks. \nThe Keynote Lecture was followed by two plenary lectures. The first one\, “Critical steps in searching\, applying for\, and winning Institutional Grants/Individual Fellowship awards\,” was delivered by Professor Kenneth Omeje\, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Management International University. Professor Omeje broke down the steps in successfully identifying and winning the type of research grants most appropriate to the individual participants’ study. \nThe second one\, “Conceptualizing the Research Idea – Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Approaches\,” was delivered by Professor Henrietta Nyamnjoh\, Researcher\, Migration and Mobility Hub\, University of Cape Town. Professor Nyamnjoh assessed the conceptual frameworks for research ideas that range from disciplinary to multidisciplinary\, and why the differentiation between them is essential as one develops their research idea into something concrete. \nAfter a tea and coffee break\, the plenary lectures continued. The third one\, “The Role of Theoretical Frameworks and Epistemological Issues in Research Design\,” was delivered by Prof Charles Ukeje\, Professor of International Relations\, Obafemi Awolowo University. Professor Ukeje offered insights to participants on how to construct solid research designs by carefully considering the theoretical and epistemological foundations of their studies. \nThe fourth one\, “The Role of Research Ethics\,” was delivered by Professor Ignasio Jimu\, Head of Department for the Department of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices\, MUST. Professor Jimu focused on the ethical challenges and considerations when working with indigenous knowledge systems\, highlighting the importance of respect\, collaboration\, and cultural sensitivity. \nThis was followed by a Question-and-Answer session between the panelists and the audience. Afterward\, the participants separated into their individual working group sessions. \nOn Saturday\, the participants gathered once more for their One-on-One sessions and Feedback sessions. The closing ceremony involved Dr. Cyril Obi and Dr. Ignasio Jimu delivered closing remarks and a vote of thanks. This was followed by the presentation of certificates to all participants in attendance. \nThe APN and Next Gen program would like to thank all of the participants\, lecturers\, the guest of honor\, and the members of the MUST LOC for their participation\, enthusiasm\, support\, and commitment to the program.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2025-apn-next-gen-must-national-grant-writing-and-proposal-development-workshop/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250303T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250303T170000
DTSTAMP:20250304T001504Z
CREATED:20250303T233528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250304T001504Z
UID:10000888-1740988800-1741021200@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:test event
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URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/test-event/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250327T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250327T203000
DTSTAMP:20260212T213338Z
CREATED:20250313T153838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T213338Z
UID:10000889-1743102000-1743107400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Globalization\, Trade and Labor\, and the Distribution of Wealth and Resources in Japan and the United States
DESCRIPTION:Recent elections in the United States\, Japan\, and Europe have shown public dissatisfaction with global society and the economy. Commentaries on United States electoral politics have argued that globalization’s impact on the domestic economy—most significantly\, the offshoring of manufacturing and subsequent loss of well-paying manufacturing jobs—was the key factor in shaping a polarized society\, characterized by a large underclass that has not shared in economic prosperity. In Japan\, although political polarization has not been as extreme\, the last several decades have seen an increased precarity of labor. \nIn this 2025 session of the Abe Fellows Global Forum\, four leading experts from the United States and Japan will examine the impact of globalization on the domestic economies of both countries\, looking at the impact of global trade\, the creation of international supply-chains\, the realignment of production systems\, and accompanying social changes. While the Trump administration promises to return to the “golden age” of American manufacturing\, this is clearly a promise that will be difficult to fulfill. Though structural changes in developed countries are often linked to the offshoring of manufacturing\, those relocations occurred at a time of major technological transformation. In recent decades\, there has been a worldwide shift to the use of highly automated machinery and technology in manufacturing. Even if manufacturing “returns” to developed countries\, it will not produce a surge in well-paying manufacturing jobs. These are two big questions facing Japan and the United States: how can each country best manage this structural transition? How can we create more stable and equitable distributions of income that will reduce polarization? \n\nAbout Abe Global\nThe Abe Fellows Global Forum (Abe Global) brings Abe Fellow research and expertise on pressing issues of global concern to broader audiences. Abe Global hosts events each year in partnership with academic and civic organizations throughout the United States. Abe Global is an initiative of the Abe Fellows Network\, the Social Science Research Council\, and the Japan Foundation New York. \nPast Abe Global Events
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/globalization-trade-and-labor-and-the-distribution-of-wealth-and-resources-in-japan-and-the-united-states/
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LOCATION:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=147xTmmDbis
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250328
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250329
DTSTAMP:20250513T195758Z
CREATED:20250513T185840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T195758Z
UID:10000894-1743120000-1743206399@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:PADRA Early Careers Workshop Event Summary
DESCRIPTION:Nairobi\, Kenya  \nOn Friday\, March 28\, 2025\, the Peace and Development Research Association (PADRA) held an early and mid-career authors workshop in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Nairobi\, Kenya\, and with support from the African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) Program of the Social Sciences Research Council (SSRC). Hosted at the University of Nairobi\, Kenya\, the workshop’s aim was to provide PADRA members with guidance on the processes of  conceptualizing\, crafting\, and publishing their academic research\, as well as effective ways to translate such research into actionable policies. \nThe event was ushered by welcome remarks from Dr. Jacinta Mwende Maweu\, Chair of PADRA\, who expressed her gratitude for those in attendance\, including Professor Jack Odhiambo\, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)\, University of Nairobi; Dr. Patrick Nyabul\, Chairman of the Department of Philosophy\, University of Nairobi\, and the SSRC’s APN & Next Gen Program. Dr. Patrick Nyabul and Professor Jack Odhiambo followed with their opening remarks\, acknowledging the role of the SSRC’s APN and Next Gen Program\, including its impact-driven support\, and contributions towards building the capacity of African scholars in the areas of research-based knowledge production and dissemination. \nMaimouna Cherif\,  of the APN and Next Gen Program\, delivered opening remarks on behalf of the program’s director\, Dr. Cyril Obi. Echoing warm appreciation to PADRA executives\, workshop participants\, guests and university faculty in attendance\, the remarks emphasized the APN and Next Gen’s contribution to African peacebuilding knowledge production– namely through its provision of over 600 fellowship awards to African scholars\, training workshops\, mentorship programs\, and special panels at international conferences. Dr. Obi congratulated PADRA\, borne out of the APN and Next Gen’s African University Seminar Series (AUSS) in 2023\, for  providing Kenyan-based APN and Next Gen fellows with research and mentorship opportunities since their consolidation from AUSS-K into a nationally recognized organization\, PADRA. \nThe first lecture\, “Getting published: The Craft and Structure of Academic Writing”\, was presented by Dr. Eric Kioko\, Lecturer at Kenyatta University and Senior Researcher at the British Institute in East Africa (BIEA). Dr. Kioko addressed the importance of viewing writing as an art and science\, and the skills needed to better engage in the art of writing and publications. He highlighted the  importance of publishing\, citing its benefits: academic visibility\, contribution to scientific progress\, securing funding or meeting degree requirements. Dr. Kioko also stressed the time-intensive nature of writing and publishing\, recommending that scholars deepen connections with their peers and consult the repository of previously published works to help with the process of knowledge transfer and ideation. He encouraged scholars to assess the novelty and relevance of their work before writing\, discussing the importance of understanding publication ethics and selecting the appropriate journal for publication based on the journal’s ranking\, rejection rate\, word count and formatting requirements. \nFollowing the first lecture\, Dr. Kioko delved into the practical realities of academic publishing\, particularly the challenges faced by scholars from Africa\, using insights from his experience as an academic. He provided a detailed walkthrough of the journal submission and review process\, highlighting the importance of adhering to strict formatting guidelines\, responding tactfully to reviewer comments\, and navigating potential biases or “cartels” among reviewers. The discussion also covered strategies for dealing with rejection\, such as taking time to process feedback\, categorizing reviewer comments\, and being willing to substantially revise the paper’s focus if needed. \nThe second lecture\, “Translating Research Into Policy Outputs”\, was delivered by Dr. Patrick Mutahi\, Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies. Dr. Mutahi established the importance of research for policy\, namely through its identification of challenges\, provision of evidence-based solutions\, and considerable consumption by policy-makers. He expressed that challenges in bridging the research-policy gap include the inaccessible language used by researchers and the disconnect of policy-makers from the realities of their constituencies and populace. Dr. Mutahi further elaborated on the common barriers to research uptake in policy communities\, including timing mismatch between the production of research and the  policy implementation process\, the lack of engagement between researchers and policy-makers\, and political opposition. He recommended that scholars understand their key stakeholders and policy makers\, identify key steps of the policy formulation and implementation cycle\, render their outputs digestible and concise and engage policy makers through direct meetings\, media engagements\, and to form partnerships with NGOs and think tanks. \nFollowing the second lecture were closing remarks\, provided by PADRA Executive Chair\, Dr. Maweu and Treasurer\, Dr. John Mwangi. Dr. Mwangi expressed his gratitude to all attendees and shared his hope to see everyone gather again for future workshop sessions or collaborative projects. Dr. Maweu extended heartfelt thanks to the facilitators for their insightful contributions\, and she warmly opened the floor for participants to share their feedback\, reflections\, or final thoughts–framing it as an opportunity to not only conclude the session\, but to collectively shape future conversations. \nInterviews conducted with executive members of PADRA at the Early and Mid-Career Authors Workshop can be found here.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/padra-early-careers-workshop-event-summary/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250417
DTSTAMP:20250512T202726Z
CREATED:20250509T191649Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250512T202726Z
UID:10000893-1744675200-1744847999@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:SSRC\, WANEP\, and CORN-WA Convene High-Level Policy Dialogue\, "Emerging Challenges and the Future of ECOWAS"
DESCRIPTION:The Social Science Research Council (SSRC)’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program co-hosted a high-level policy dialogue on “Understanding the Geopolitical and Strategic Changes in West Africa: Emerging Challenges and the Future of ECOWAS”\, in partnership with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and Conflict Relief Network (CORN) West Africa. The high-level policy dialogue took place in Accra\, Ghana on April 15 and 16\, 2025. It convened representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)\, civil society organizations (CSOs)\, analysts\, researchers\, and policy practitioners to generate and mobilize collective inputs based on the analyses of emerging geostrategic and geopolitical challenges in the region\, ahead of the ECOWAS Special Summit on the Future or Regional Integration in West Africa. The dialogue also explored emerging challenges posed by unprecedented unconstitutional changes in governance (UCGs) across the region. \nThe two-day policy dialogue began with opening remarks from the co-organizers: Dr. Cyril Obi (Program Director\, APN and Next Gen)\, Mrs. Levinia Addae-Mensah (Executive Director\, WANEP)\, and Dr. Timipere Allison (Executive Director\, CORN West Africa). \n \nEmphasizing the need for a fundamental shift in ECOWAS’ approach to regional and political governance\, development\, peace\, and security in West Africa—particularly amidst the unprecedented changes reshaping the global landscape—Dr. Obi posed a critical question: “How can we transform this position of being marginalized to a position of being a contributor or producer of knowledge?” He pointed to the reconfiguration of global alliances\, noting the changing roles of traditional partners such as France and the United States\, and the growing influence of emerging actors including Russia\, China\, and the Gulf states. Against this backdrop\, he urged participants to reconceptualize a more inclusive and self-determined future for the region within the context of a rapidly evolving global order. Dr. Obi also stressed the importance of a measured and constructive response from ECOWAS\, particularly in light of the recent ‘Sahel exit’\, which has exposed deepening regional divisions. In conclusion\, he called for collective efforts to resolve what he described as “family problems” within the West African region. Despite internal disagreements\, he maintained that sustainable solutions can only emerge from within—through cooperation\, mutual understanding\, and a renewed commitment to regional solidarity. \nDrawing the attention of participants to the rapidly changing landscape of governance in West Africa\, Mrs. Levinia Addae-Mensah urged participants to think differently\, to reformulate and reorganize new regional partnerships to address evolving challenges\, including increasing fragmentation of the political state\, criminal violence\, UCGs\, and climate change. \n \nAlso acknowledging the need to address the future of ECOWAS was Dr. Timipere Allison\, exhorted the community of stakeholders at the dialogue to “explore innovative approaches to reimagine a more inclusive\, resilient\, and responsive West Africa.” \n \nFollowing the opening remarks\, Ambassador Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah\, Commissioner for Political Affairs\, Peace and Security at the ECOWAS Commission\, delivered the keynote speech. He provided a reflective summary of the regional bloc’s transformation since its pre-1975 inception through four overarching pillars: The Geostrategic and Geopolitical shifts\, as well as internal factors that shaped ECOWAS’ evolution; The Successes and Challenges of Regional Integration; ECOWAS and its Relations with the Breakaway Sahelian Bloc; ECOWAS@50 and The Special Summit on The Future of Regional Integration in West Africa. \n \nSubsequently\, two panel discussions were held. The first panel of the event\, ‘Understand the Geopolitical and Strategic Changes in West Africa\,’ was moderated by His Excellency Colonel Larry Gbevlo-Lartey\, Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES). The presentations featured the following panelists: Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert\, University of Ibadan\, Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu\, Head\, Democracy and Good Governance Division\, Political Affairs\, Peace and Security\, ECOWAS\, Dr. Linda Oppongmaa Akua Darkwa\, Senior Research Fellow\, LECIAD\, University of Ghana\, Dr. Rhuks Ako\, Independent Researcher (APN CWG 2014-16). \nTheir presentations focused on the following issues: shifting landscape of partnerships in West Africa\, especially from West to non-Western actors like China\, Russia\, Türkiye\, Saudi Arabia\, and Gulf States; opportunities for ECOWAS\, AES\, and regional integration amidst emergence of multipolar world order; and the implications and consequences of UCG on the region’s collective security architecture\, democratic values\, and human rights. \nThe second session\, ‘Conflict Transformation\, Development and Peace in West Africa\,’ moderated by Dr. Ebimboere Seiyefa\, Head of Research at CORN-West Africa. The panelists included three former APN and Next Gen fellowship award recipients: Dr. Titilope Ajayi\, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)\, Nairobi\, Dr. Hippolyt Pul\, Executive Director\, Institute for Peace and Development\, Tamale\, and Prof. Ibrahim Bangura\, Fourah Bay College\, University of Sierra Leone. \nTheir presentations focused on recent UCGs\, tacit acceptance of military governments by AES nationals\, operational and structural strategies implemented on the regional level\, and key challenges. The panel further assessed potential strategic partnerships that could help ECOWAS better implement its mandate of development and security and alternative solutions to prevent UCGs. The panelists emphasized the need to strengthen regional policies and democratic institutions (not limited to elections)\, prioritize human security and livelihoods of West Africans\, and ensure consistent policy implementation among member states. \n \nOn Day 2\, participants were divided into three breakout sessions\, where three groups brainstormed recommendations that could serve as inputs for strengthening ECOWAS’ approach on the following critical challenges: \n\nTowards Regional Security: ECOWAS Engagement with the AES Bloc\nTowards Regional Security: ECOWAS Engagement with Middle and Emerging Powers (China\, Russia\, etc) and the West; and\nECOWAS: Conflict Transformation\, Development and Peace in West Africa\n\nKey recommendations and reflections from the breakout sessions and event proceedings include but are not limited to the following: \n\nRebuilding trust with AES states by encouraging bilateral diplomacy with countries the AES bloc remains open to such as Ghana and Senegal as well as pursuing multilateral engagements through the African Union (AU) and CSOs\nBilateralism and partnership with AES to combat terrorism and violent extremism through strategic intelligence sharing and coordinated border patrols between ECOWAS and AES members\, as well as neighboring border states\nA unified and preemptive strategic ECOWAS framework on regional security interests that clearly maps out the national interests of its member states as well as external influences and their interests in the region\, and how these intersect with ECOWAS security and development objectives\nInstitutional capacity-building of member states to better align domestic and foreign policies with broader ECOWAS security goals as well as bilateral and multilateral coordination with AES states\, the West\, and the East to ensure a unified and consistent regional approach.\nProactive and consistent response from ECOWAS to both military and civilian forms of UCGs including constitutional manipulations and amendments designed to entrench incumbents in power\nStrengthening of civil society participation to ensure accountability\, implementation of regional protocols\, and serving as watchdogs against democratic backsliding\n\nA more detailed list of recommendations can be found in this joint communique developed by the SSRC’s APN and Next Program\, WANEP\, and CORN West Africa. \nThe policy dialogue concluded with an overview of the discussions\, followed by closing remarks from Mrs. Levina Addae-Mensah and Dr. Cyril Obi. Both extended their gratitude to the participants for an engaging two days of meaningful dialogue on the future of peace and security in West Africa. Several news media covered the event in connection to the ongoing ECOWAS@50 celebrations which occurred in Accra\, Ghana. \nClick below to view a recap of the high-level policy dialogue\, news coverage\, keynote speech\, communique\, and a detailed report of the event proceedings. \nRecap:\n \nNews coverage:\n \nKeynote Speech\nCommunique
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/event-summary-for-2025-high-level-policy-dialogue/
CATEGORIES:Africa
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250424T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250424T160000
DTSTAMP:20250428T161218Z
CREATED:20250422T143326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T161218Z
UID:10000881-1745506800-1745510400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence
DESCRIPTION:About the Lecture\nWhat if everything we understood about gun violence was wrong? In 2007\, economist Jens Ludwig moved to the South Side of Chicago to research two big questions: Why does gun violence happen\, and is there anything we can do about it? Almost two decades later\, the answers aren’t what he expected. This seminar (based on a forthcoming book) describes how and why everyone’s conventional wisdom about gun violence is at best incomplete\, how behavioral economics gives us a better way to understand the problem\, and how a sustained partnership between the University of Chicago Crime Lab and the city of Chicago have helped identify and scale new solutions. \nEvent Recording\n \n\nAbout the Speaker\nJens Ludwig is the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago\, co-director of the National Bureau of Economic Research working group on the economics of crime\, and Pritzker Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab\, which he helped found 17 years ago as an R&D partner for the public sector to solve social problems. Crime Lab projects have led to changes in policy in cities around the country\, been published in leading scientific outlets like the Quarterly Journal of Economics and American Economic Review\, and featured in national news outlets like the New York Times\, Washington Post and PBS News Hour. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves on the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Law and Justice.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/unforgiving-places-the-unexpected-origins-of-american-gun-violence/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250522T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250522T150000
DTSTAMP:20250609T134411Z
CREATED:20250521T144210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250609T134411Z
UID:10000882-1747922400-1747926000@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Repeated Evaluation Can Make Better Policy: The Case of Summer Youth Employment Programs
DESCRIPTION:Lecture Details\nResearchers often pursue ideas because they are novel and innovative. Breaking new ground is clearly important\, and being “first” can help a paper get published. But the drive to be new can also push researchers away from the kinds of iterative research questions that help decision-makers implement effective policy (and towards surprising results that can be hard to replicate). This talk will tell the story of a policy-research partnership that started with a new and surprising finding—that summer jobs programs don’t actually help future youth employment\, but do reduce violence—then kept iterating to explore how\, why\, and for whom. The result highlights what can come from repeated evaluation: an evidence base that is more convincing\, illuminating\, and practical than any single study can be. \nEvent Recording\n \nAbout the Speaker\nSara Heller is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan. Dr. Heller studies interventions to reduce crime and improve other life outcomes among disadvantaged youth. She uses large-scale experiments to isolate the causal effects of a variety of programs\, including cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions and summer jobs. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Chicago\, a M.P.P. from Georgetown\, and a B.A. in Psychology from Harvard.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/repeated-evaluation-can-make-better-policy-the-case-of-summer-youth-employment-programs/
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