Social Sciences

Illustration showing white and black hands in handcuffs

Stanford psychologists examine how race affects juvenile sentencing

A new study by Stanford psychologists examines how race affects the prison sentences of children. It finds that if people imagine a juvenile offender to be black, they are more willing to hand down severe penalties to all juveniles.


President of Turkey Abdullah Gul on stage with Condoleezza Rice / Photo: L.A. Cicero

At Stanford, Turkish president says 'this is the age of people's empowerment'

In Stanford speech, Turkish President Abdullah Gül praised the technological innovations that have come out of the university as critical to expanding freedom and enabling world democracies.  Video


Illustration of airplane labeled 'Citizens United' dropping money over the political parties / Illustration: DonkeyHotey / Creative Commons

Stanford scholars examine big money's influence on elections

Scholars and Washington insiders gathered at a SIEPR conference to tackle questions about whether money is corrupting politics and whether the economy can predict who will be president.


Tony Blair speaking at Stanford / Photo: L.A. Cicero

Tony Blair urges Stanford students to help out in Africa

The former prime minister of Great Britain said that much-needed economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot go forward without improvements in governance.  Video


Then U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry shakes hands with a member of the U.S. military.Photo: S.K. Vemmer, U.S. Department of State

Hold the military accountable, ex-ambassador to Afghanistan tells a Stanford audience

At Stanford, former Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry also cited the economy as the No. 1 threat to U.S. security.


Illustration of head with maze and target

Stanford psychologist: Achievement goals can be shaped by environment

A new study by Stanford psychologist Paul O'Keefe suggests that the culture of our learning and working environments can have long-term effects on our goals and motivation.


Medical supplies are loaded on a Thai air force plane bound for Myanmar. / Photo: Reuters

Stanford study shows no evidence that international health aid is wasted

The study findings, published in PLoS Medicine, are poised to influence a debate among policymakers and donors over whether international assistance is wasted and displaced by governments that receive the money.


Six Stanford faculty elected to National Academy of Sciences

Six Stanford faculty members have been elected to receive one of the highest honors for an American scientist in recognition of their achievements in original research.


U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Afghan President Hamid Karzai / Photo: Kevin Lamarque, Reuters

Despite questions over U.S.-Afghan pact, Stanford professor remains optimistic

Erik Jensen, who just returned from Afghanistan, argues that staying the course will have positive outcomes for generations of Afghans to come.


Angela McCray, right, is the law student who founded the program. /Photo: L.A. Cicero

Stanford students share the entrepreneurial spirit with women just out of prison

Law and business school students in a new pro bono program teach formerly incarcerated women the basics of starting and operating a successful business.


Victoire Lejzerzon, Titus Seah, Tina Seelig, and Ramprasath Palanisamy. Photo: L.A. Cicero

Where does that creative spark come from? Stanford's Tina Seelig has some ideas

The d.school's Tina Seelig explains how to get your creative juices flowing – at work, at home and in your community.  Video


Affirmative action is needed to get the best candidates, Stanford psychologist says

In hiring and admissions decisions, some say diversity is purchased at the price of merit. Not so, says Stanford psychologist Greg Walton. He's submitting his findings to the U.S. Supreme Court.


Composite of Karl Rove and Robert Gibbs at podiums/Photo composite by L.A. Cicero

Stanford hosts election-year debate pitting Rove and Gibbs

The student-sponsored debate between GOP strategist Karl Rove and Democratic adviser Robert Gibbs transported the audience inside the Beltway for a tête-à-tête over immigration, jobs and political parties.  Video


Prof. Tanya Luhrmann

Stanford professor asks, how does God become real to people?

Anthropologist Tanya Luhrmann immerses herself in evangelical Christianity to find out how God becomes real to people. Through her research, she seeks to narrow the gap between believers and nonbelievers.  Video


Researchers call for policy, aid and innovation to help world’s poorest

Following on last week's talk by software giant and philanthropist Bill Gates, fellows at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies offered their perspectives on ways to advance and secure the world's most fragile nations.