Writing
Thinking out loud about psychology, education, policy, healthcare, and whatever else has my attention.
The United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other country. The evidence on whether incarceration reduces crime is more complicated than political debate suggests.
Tax policy is among the most powerful tools governments have for addressing economic inequality. Understanding what research shows about tax effects on distribution matters for informed debate.
The pace of policy change is a frequent source of frustration. Understanding why democratic systems are designed to move slowly clarifies when patience is appropriate and when acceleration is warranted.
Debates over voting laws involve empirical claims about who is affected and what effects rules have on turnout. Research on voter ID laws, polling place access, and participation is extensive.
Public infrastructure is directly connected to public health outcomes. Investments in clean water, safe transportation, and broadband have measurable health consequences.
The United States is the only high income country without a federal paid family leave policy. The evidence on outcomes, for workers, children, and employers, is substantial.
Climate change is increasingly recognized as a public health emergency. Research on how rising temperatures, extreme weather, and air quality affect human health is reshaping how policymakers think about climate.
The pandemic stresstested public health infrastructure around the world. The failures were informative. The question is whether they will translate into durable policy change.
The idea that policy should be guided by evidence is widely endorsed and frequently violated. This piece examines what evidence-based policy actually requires and why it is difficult.
