In the News
Let's Declare a Pandemic Amnesty
November 29, 2022 | The Atlantic | Emily Oster
PSTC Economist Emily Oster advocates for shifting our energies toward solving problems the pandemic revealed or created and away from arguing over choices made during the uncertainty of a novel public health crisis.
The world population hit 8 billion — but with a peak in sight. What lessons does that have for climate change?
November 21, 2022 | Los Angeles Times | Elizabeth Fussell
Today’s climate emergency is reminiscent of the past population growth crisis: Both represent existential challenges requiring sustained global efforts. Our success on the population issue holds key lessons for addressing the climate crisis as well.
Major public-private life sciences development breaks ground in Providence’s Jewelry District
November 11, 2022 | Brown.edu | Megan Ranney
Government officials and public health leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for a 212,000-square-foot building that will house a new state health lab, life sciences labs for Brown University, and additional biotechnology space on former I-195 land.
Online school put U.S. kids behind. Some adults have regrets.
November 1, 2022 | Associated Press | Emily Oster
School officials, educators, and public health experts discuss how to offset learning loss for America’s schoolchildren post-pandemic.
Burn pit registry is failing to help track vet illnesses, experts say
October 25, 2022 | Air Force Times | David Savitz
The nearly decade-old Veterans Affairs registry to track burn pit illnesses and help veterans get care for those injuries is achieving neither of those goals, according to research from independent health experts, who are recommending major changes to the effort.
Confronting Indigenous enslavement, one story at a time
October 18, 2022 | Brown.edu | Linford Fisher
About 350 years ago, in the midst of a conflict known as King Philip’s War, the English captured and enslaved a group of Wampanoag Native Americans.
Fishers Or Farmers? What Your Ancestors Did Has A Surprising Influence On Your Wealth
October 13, 2022 | Forbes | Oded Galor
PSTC Economist Oded Galor discusses how ancient factors like geography, culture and diversity impact today’s wealth inequality.
How Much Should I Meditate? The science and practice of dosing mindfulness meditation
October 11, 2022 | Psychology Today | Eric Loucks
Eric Loucks, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, offers ideas on how to begin a meditation regimen.
A Brown data scientist on what the pandemic has meant for student achievement
October 7, 2022 | Boston.com | Emily Oster
PSTC Economist Emily Oster highlights disparities within the overall decline in student test score growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Could Tutoring Be the Best Tool for Fighting Learning Loss?
October 6, 2022 | The New York Times | Matthew Kraft
Associate Professor of Education and Economics Matthew Kraft discusses compelling evidence for the implementation of high-cost, intensive, long-term tutoring as a tool in academic recovery from the pandemic.