SOCIAL POLICY
When certain boys feel their masculinity is threatened, aggression ensues
How (and when) does masculinity form? A new study reveals that adolescent boys, like some adult men, may respond aggressively when their masculinity feels threatened, especially in environments with rigid gender norms. Co-authored by Anna Gassman-Pines, the research highlights social pressures on boys to conform to stereotypical masculinity. The study involved over 200 boys and found that those in mid-to-late puberty and motivated by external pressures showed increased aggression when their gender typicality was challenged. The findings suggest that addressing restrictive gender norms, particularly during puberty, could mitigate negative behaviors like sexism and homophobia.
(Photo: cottonbro studio via Pexels)
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ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY
Teaching new ways to farm can help the environment and the economy
Many rural parts of India grapple with severe air quality issues, particularly due to crop residue burning in northern regions. Despite bans and incentives, farmers struggle to adopt no-burn practices. P. P. Krishnapriya and Subhrendu K. Pattanayak analyzed data from 1021 rural Punjab farming households, observing increasing adoption of no-burn techniques, particularly mulching, from 2015-2017. Larger farms show higher adoption rates, driven by access to equipment and social learning. The study highlights the importance of tailored policies providing equipment access and diverse learning platforms. It suggests interventions targeting equipment accessibility, social networking for medium-large farmers, investment in small farms, and focused extension services for medium-sized farms. The findings aid government and non-government efforts to mitigate residue burning in the Indo-Gangetic plains, offering insights into adoption drivers and strategies.
(Photo: Generated by Microsoft Image Creator)
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TECHNOLOGY POLICY
How to use Machine Learning in your research
Machine learning (ML) has the ability to unlock previously unknown avenues of data, but it has a credibility problem. ML methods are increasingly used in scientific research but often face validity, reproducibility, and generalizability issues, which can impede scientific progress. To address these challenges, 19 researchers, including Christopher Bail, developed the REFORMS checklist, a comprehensive guide for conducting and reporting ML-based science. The checklist includes 32 items across eight modules to ensure rigorous standards and prevent common errors. It is intended for researchers, referees, and journals to enhance transparency and reproducibility in ML-based studies, fostering better scientific practices and reducing the risk of invalid claims.
(Photo: Generated by Microsoft Image Creator)
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SOCIAL POLICY
If you give parents money, what will they spend it on?
A new study from the groundbreaking Baby’s First Years (BFY) project reveals that unconditional cash transfers to families boost early learning activities and spending on child enrichment across the first three years of life, potentially improving early childhood environments in U.S. households with low income. Lisa Gennetian and co-authors found that unconditional cash transfers to low-income families enhance early childhood environments. Beginning in 2018, mothers received monthly cash gifts of either $333 or $20. Families with higher support engaged more in early learning activities and spent more on child-specific goods, such as books and educational toys. These transfers improved children's well-being, though they had minimal effects on mothers' psychological health and overall economic behavior. The study underscores the potential of direct cash support to positively influence child development and early learning in low-income households.
(Photo: Emma Bauso via Pexels)
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Meet Manoj Mohanan, Interim Dean of the Sanford School
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Manoj Mohanan began his two-year term as Interim Dean of Sanford on July 1. Learn more about Mohanan in this interview, which includes the origins of his academic expertise, his love for the Sanford community, and his goals for the future of Sanford in teaching and transforming policy. Read his story and watch his welcome video here.
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Thankful for Three Sanford Leaders |
Bundorf Named Sanford Faculty Director for Research Programs |
Antepli to lead Polis: Center for Politics |
Sanford welcomes new faculty members |
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