The Latest

A group of children in uniform reading from small red books Research Brief / Government

Why Some Dictators Build Schools — and Others Don’t

Compulsory education ‘homogenizes’ population, can stave off democracy

Quiz

Why Some Clinical Trial Data Remains Hidden

Alibaba warehouse workers, signs of innovation, and how gender of Brazilian mayors played out in COVID-19

A classroom of middle school students taking a test at their desks. Research Brief / Education

Why So Few Women in STEM Fields: The Role of Middle-School Peer Influence

Notion that boys are innately better at math undermines girls’ self-belief

Aerial view of two bridges over water with a dinghy passing underneath Research Brief / Investing

Why Risk and Reward Don’t Always Move in Concert

Investors initially underreact to volatility, then overreact

Three female workers planting rice. Research Brief / Cultural History

Why Offspring of Rice Farmers Are Better at Detecting Emotions

Raising the crop is a communal project, more so than the work of wheat farmers, who’re less attuned to feelings of others

A group of people climbing a mountain peak Research Brief / Behavioral Economics

Why Kickstarter Funders Quickly Kick in the Last 5 Percent

Research shows that people have a sincere desire to see projects take flight

A departures board for international flights at an airport Research Brief / Startups

Why Do Startups Make International Moves?

In connection with funding, typically; those chasing money abroad tend to raise a lot more of it

Quiz

Why Do Scholars Disagree on Whether Diversity Boosts Growth and Innovation?

Also: inventions and the age of collaborators; Airbnbs vs. hotels; and when to schedule meetings

Abstract digital generated eyes looking around and the yellow one standing out from the crowd. Research Brief / Banking

Why Do Banks With Little Skin in the Game Still Monitor Borrowers?

Tax policy change triggers an incentive for lenders to be more aggressive

Airplanes parked Research Brief / Accounting

Why Corporate Leasing Practices Deserve More Respect

Most companies use asset leasing for business reasons, not accounting window dressing

Five illustrated figures interact with coffee and snacks Research Brief / Cultural History

Why Can’t We All Get Along? On Some Things, We Do

The narrative of a growing cultural divide, while partly true, conceals a more nuanced picture

The hands of a young woman depositing check by phone in the cafe. Research Brief / Banking

Why Big Banks Can Pay Less on Deposits

Their level of technology and services makes up for it; it’s vice versa with little banks

Firefighters in front of their truck Research Brief / Gender Gap

Why Aren’t There More Women Firefighters?

Aligning people’s idea of a firefighter with the range of work and skills actually required might reduce gender bias

Research Brief / Nudges

Why a Surcharge Can Alter Behavior Better than a Discount

Equal incentives perceived differently and can affect norms

Angela merkel Research Brief / COVID-19

Who Loves a Leader in a Lockdown?

Not the people who see coronavirus as an unpredictable threat

Studio portrait of a diverse group of three women and three men smiling while standing against a grey background Research Brief / Venture Capital

Who Gets Venture Capital?

Experienced founders with good products still need great employees to attract early investment, study finds