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]
A new era for early childhood in Illinois is taking shape.
At EC*REACH's second annual conference, nearly 300 researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates came together to reflect on recent progress and discuss what's next. Read more: spr.ly/63329B1OI6t
At EC*REACH's second annual conference, nearly 300 researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates came together to reflect on recent progress and discuss what's next. Read more: spr.ly/63329B1OI6t
August 12, 2026 at 8:54 PM
A new era for early childhood in Illinois is taking shape.
At EC*REACH's second annual conference, nearly 300 researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates came together to reflect on recent progress and discuss what's next. Read more: spr.ly/63329B1OI6t
At EC*REACH's second annual conference, nearly 300 researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates came together to reflect on recent progress and discuss what's next. Read more: spr.ly/63329B1OI6t
How can we detoxify social media feeds?
A new study in Nature led by @williambrady.bsky.social suggests redesigning algorithms can curb toxic and politically divisive content, and make social media more enjoyable for users. spr.ly/63326BDOcQn
A new study in Nature led by @williambrady.bsky.social suggests redesigning algorithms can curb toxic and politically divisive content, and make social media more enjoyable for users. spr.ly/63326BDOcQn
June 18, 2026 at 4:24 PM
How can we detoxify social media feeds?
A new study in Nature led by @williambrady.bsky.social suggests redesigning algorithms can curb toxic and politically divisive content, and make social media more enjoyable for users. spr.ly/63326BDOcQn
A new study in Nature led by @williambrady.bsky.social suggests redesigning algorithms can curb toxic and politically divisive content, and make social media more enjoyable for users. spr.ly/63326BDOcQn
Laws targeting abortion providers have forced clinics to close and cut off access to care. New research by Joe Feinglass, Madeline Perry, and Lynn Yee finds that states with those restrictions had a 36% higher likelihood of infant mortality. spr.ly/63325B87Z9F
June 12, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Laws targeting abortion providers have forced clinics to close and cut off access to care. New research by Joe Feinglass, Madeline Perry, and Lynn Yee finds that states with those restrictions had a 36% higher likelihood of infant mortality. spr.ly/63325B87Z9F
People who lack access to clean drinking water also tend to struggle to get enough safe food to eat, according to a new study in @natfood.nature.com by @profserayoung.bsky.social and her colleagues. The researchers say the two issues need to be addressed together. spr.ly/63325B8fnx7
June 11, 2026 at 5:41 PM
People who lack access to clean drinking water also tend to struggle to get enough safe food to eat, according to a new study in @natfood.nature.com by @profserayoung.bsky.social and her colleagues. The researchers say the two issues need to be addressed together. spr.ly/63325B8fnx7
TODAY: Join us in Chambers Hall at noon for a talk by IPR economist and legal scholar @drchikaokafor.bsky.social on “Beyond Malice, It’s Math: Social Network Discrimination and Voting Rights After Louisiana v. Callais.” spr.ly/63324BBSWVk
May 11, 2026 at 2:07 PM
TODAY: Join us in Chambers Hall at noon for a talk by IPR economist and legal scholar @drchikaokafor.bsky.social on “Beyond Malice, It’s Math: Social Network Discrimination and Voting Rights After Louisiana v. Callais.” spr.ly/63324BBSWVk
Join us in Chambers Hall on Monday at noon for a talk by IPR economist and legal scholar @drchikaokafor.bsky.social on “Beyond Malice, It’s Math: Social Network Discrimination and Voting Rights After Louisiana v. Callais.” spr.ly/63328BBYVLw
May 7, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Join us in Chambers Hall on Monday at noon for a talk by IPR economist and legal scholar @drchikaokafor.bsky.social on “Beyond Malice, It’s Math: Social Network Discrimination and Voting Rights After Louisiana v. Callais.” spr.ly/63328BBYVLw
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by Mesmin Destin on “The Distinct Benefits of Connecting Through Shared and Divergent Experiences for Marginalized Students.” spr.ly/63325BBw8ED
May 4, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by Mesmin Destin on “The Distinct Benefits of Connecting Through Shared and Divergent Experiences for Marginalized Students.” spr.ly/63325BBw8ED
On #EarthDay, we're highlighting research by faculty looking at air pollution, climate change beliefs, water insecurity, and the disproportionate impacts of environmental challenges. 🌍 Read more: spr.ly/63328BBDcUi
April 22, 2026 at 5:26 PM
On #EarthDay, we're highlighting research by faculty looking at air pollution, climate change beliefs, water insecurity, and the disproportionate impacts of environmental challenges. 🌍 Read more: spr.ly/63328BBDcUi
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by IPR director and sociologist Andrew V. Papachristos on "Community Violence Intervention at the Crossroads: Old Questions, New Evidence, and the Future of Public Safety." spr.ly/63321hZmnJ
February 16, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by IPR director and sociologist Andrew V. Papachristos on "Community Violence Intervention at the Crossroads: Old Questions, New Evidence, and the Future of Public Safety." spr.ly/63321hZmnJ
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by Steven Franconeri on "Point Taken: A Gamified Intervention That Creates Enlightened Disagreements." spr.ly/63329CYvqW
January 5, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Join us in Chambers Hall today at noon for a talk by Steven Franconeri on "Point Taken: A Gamified Intervention That Creates Enlightened Disagreements." spr.ly/63329CYvqW
Happy New Year from IPR faculty, staff, and students!
January 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Happy New Year from IPR faculty, staff, and students!
#1: AI quickly evolved from a futuristic concept to a daily reality. To better understand AI and the changes coming with it, we spoke to our faculty experts about how they’re studying AI, what they’re learning, and what’s ahead. Read more: spr.ly/63328CEmL8
December 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#1: AI quickly evolved from a futuristic concept to a daily reality. To better understand AI and the changes coming with it, we spoke to our faculty experts about how they’re studying AI, what they’re learning, and what’s ahead. Read more: spr.ly/63328CEmL8
#2: Why are Black women more likely to have C-sections than White women? IPR economist Molly Schnell spoke to IPR about her research examining this disparity and possible ways to reduce unnecessary C-sections and the complications that can come with them. Read more: spr.ly/6180FaDu2
December 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#2: Why are Black women more likely to have C-sections than White women? IPR economist Molly Schnell spoke to IPR about her research examining this disparity and possible ways to reduce unnecessary C-sections and the complications that can come with them. Read more: spr.ly/6180FaDu2
#3: American teenagers are not all right.
Growing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicides point to an alarming trend. IPR spoke with four of its experts on teen mental health about what their research says about why teens are suffering and how we can help them. spr.ly/6186L9O5y
Growing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicides point to an alarming trend. IPR spoke with four of its experts on teen mental health about what their research says about why teens are suffering and how we can help them. spr.ly/6186L9O5y
December 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#3: American teenagers are not all right.
Growing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicides point to an alarming trend. IPR spoke with four of its experts on teen mental health about what their research says about why teens are suffering and how we can help them. spr.ly/6186L9O5y
Growing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicides point to an alarming trend. IPR spoke with four of its experts on teen mental health about what their research says about why teens are suffering and how we can help them. spr.ly/6186L9O5y
#4: During a lecture on April 2, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu outlined the urgent steps needed to achieve net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions and avoid climate change’s major consequences. spr.ly/63321CEmRX
December 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#4: During a lecture on April 2, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu outlined the urgent steps needed to achieve net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions and avoid climate change’s major consequences. spr.ly/63321CEmRX
#5: Thousands of L.A. fast food workers are victims of wage theft, losing more than $44 million in combined wages per year. A report by @djgalvin.bsky.social and Jake Barnes points to educating workers about their rights as a solution. www.ipr.northwestern.edu/news/2025/wa...
December 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#5: Thousands of L.A. fast food workers are victims of wage theft, losing more than $44 million in combined wages per year. A report by @djgalvin.bsky.social and Jake Barnes points to educating workers about their rights as a solution. www.ipr.northwestern.edu/news/2025/wa...
Join us in Chambers Hall on January 5 for a talk by Steven Franconeri on "Point Taken: A Gamified Intervention for More Enlightened Policy Disagreements." spr.ly/63325CESsS
December 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Join us in Chambers Hall on January 5 for a talk by Steven Franconeri on "Point Taken: A Gamified Intervention for More Enlightened Policy Disagreements." spr.ly/63325CESsS
#7: In May, @jhu.edu sociologist @stefanie-deluca.bsky.social returned to Northwestern as IPR's first visiting scholar, sharing her latest research and insights into communicating research findings to policymakers. www.ipr.northwestern.edu/news/2025/ho...
December 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#7: In May, @jhu.edu sociologist @stefanie-deluca.bsky.social returned to Northwestern as IPR's first visiting scholar, sharing her latest research and insights into communicating research findings to policymakers. www.ipr.northwestern.edu/news/2025/ho...
#8: Political violence is on the rise in the U.S. @polisciatnu.bsky.sociall's Laurel Harbridge-Yong spoke to IPR about how elected officials say threats & violence have changed the way they approach their jobs & how the public thinks about political violence. www.ipr.northwestern.edu/news/2025/th...
December 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
#8: Political violence is on the rise in the U.S. @polisciatnu.bsky.sociall's Laurel Harbridge-Yong spoke to IPR about how elected officials say threats & violence have changed the way they approach their jobs & how the public thinks about political violence. www.ipr.northwestern.edu/news/2025/th...
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
Okafor calls this social network discrimination, and his findings show that colorblind approaches alone don’t create equal opportunity. Policies and hiring practices must account for network-based barriers to achieve true fairness. Read the policy brief: www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/po...
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Okafor calls this social network discrimination, and his findings show that colorblind approaches alone don’t create equal opportunity. Policies and hiring practices must account for network-based barriers to achieve true fairness. Read the policy brief: www.ipr.northwestern.edu/documents/po...
A study by @drchikaokafor.bsky.social shows that even when employers ignore race and workers have the same qualifications, racial gaps still appear through people’s social networks. Smaller minority groups often have fewer referral connections, resulting in fewer job opportunities and lower wages.
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A study by @drchikaokafor.bsky.social shows that even when employers ignore race and workers have the same qualifications, racial gaps still appear through people’s social networks. Smaller minority groups often have fewer referral connections, resulting in fewer job opportunities and lower wages.
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.
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
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