Policy

The case of the missing gas taxMIT researchers find vehicle efficiency standards are at least six times more costly than a tax on fuel.

When opportunity meets preparationPolitical science PhD student Laura Chirot examines industrial policy in late developing countries.

Students witness science policy in actionMIT students participate in the final mercury talks resulting in an international treaty.

3 Questions: Charles Stewart ranks the voting systems in the 50 statesA new Pew Center project, spurred by MIT research, studies how well states run their elections.

Lawmakers focus on MIT fusion researchThree Congressmen visited the Plasma Science and Fusion Center last week.

Why some immigrants get citizenshipStudy: Country of origin a 'massive disadvantage' for some immigrants, regardless of qualifications.

Changing with the climateMIT researchers, Massachusetts officials highlight strategies to adapt to climate change.

Hard times in ChicagoMIT anthropologist’s new book recounts the painful aftermath when steel plants suddenly closed in the American heartland.

Michael Liebreich sees shift to cleaner energy as inevitableChief executive officer of Bloomberg New Energy Finance says clean energy will eventually be the norm.

The right’s resistance to regulationBook details how conservatives have changed the terms of the environmental debate in recent decades.

MIT researchers win Pyke Johnson AwardKarplus, Paltsev honored for their study on the impacts of vehicle efficiency standards.

The high value of waterStudy: People willing to pay more for running water report much higher levels of happiness when they have it.

The natural experimenter

Researchers reveal strategies for mercury reduction in time for negotiationsMIT, Harvard professors map future trends, reveal ways to reduce mercury levels on eve of final international meeting for mercury control.

President Obama announces intent to appoint Esther Duflo to Global Development CouncilMIT development economist nominated for presidential policy council.

The health-insurance markets of the (very near) futurePolicymakers must address ‘tension’ between competition and ease of use.

President Obama announces intent to appoint Maria Zuber to National Science BoardMIT geophysicist nominated for 25-member governing board of the National Science Foundation.

Q&A: Associate Provost Philip Khoury on foreign policy in the Middle EastThe Ford International Professor of History also talks about how an engineering school benefits the humanities and social science community.

3 Questions: World energy outlookFatih Birol, chief economist at the International Energy Agency, talks about the future of fossil fuels and the prospects for curbing greenhouse-gas emissions.

Vehicle efficiency standards vs. a carbon tax: the costs and politicsMIT researchers show merits of a carbon tax.

New method could help communities plan for climate riskMIT researchers develop tool to assess regional risks of climate change, potential impacts on local infrastructure and planning.

Clearing the airAtmospheric chemist Susan Solomon finds hope in past environmental challenges.

How Jonathan Gruber became ‘Mr. Mandate’An MIT economist’s path to the center of health-care policymaking in Washington.

F. Daniel Hidalgo: it’s electricThe influence of electronic ballots on democracy in the developing world

Christopher Warshaw: Mapping a Democracy

Presidential campaigns offer energetic energy debate at MITRepresentatives of Obama, Romney camps lay out differences in crucial policy domains of energy and the environment.