Economics

Knittel named first energy faculty chair at MIT

The case of the missing gas mileageAutomakers have made great strides in fuel efficiency in recent decades — but the mileage numbers of individual vehicles have barely increased. An MIT economist explains the conundrum.

Nobel laureate: Long path to economic renewal, but energy innovation could help

Kaitlyn Nealon named to Capital One Academic All-America Women's Soccer TeamSophomore defender becomes fourth player in the history of the women's soccer program to earn honor.

Rebuilding American manufacturingWhite House working group convenes at MIT to examine how new technologies can create economic growth and more jobs in the United States.

Lucas Papademos ’70, SM ’72, PhD ’78 named prime minister of Greece

3 Questions: Michael Piore on labor disputes at the ballot boxLabor economist sizes up the impact and meaning of this week’s high-profile Ohio referendum to restore collective bargaining rights for public employees.

Summers: To end slump, United States must spendIn MIT remarks, former Treasury secretary calls for the ‘common sense’ cure of more government spending to spur growth.

The office next door

Foster the peopleAt manufacturing conference, emphasis is on keeping high-skill jobs in the United States — and creating workers with the talents to fill those positions.

3 Questions: Ricardo Caballero on the search for safe investmentsEconomist believes structural problem underlying financial crisis is ‘worse than ever’

Workplace woesThe employment crisis isn’t just a lack of jobs — it’s a lack of good jobs, says an MIT professor.

Attention: Deficit disorderAt MIT forum, economists warn that deficit concerns, while legitimate, have been crowding out initiatives to help jobs and growth.

Building innovation in IndiaMIT-India conference explores nation’s challenges, opportunities

American made?MIT forum examines the role of manufacturing in rebuilding the economy.

Duflo wins APPAM’s Kershaw Award for public policy analysis

Said and Done for September 2011The humanities, arts and social sciences monthly digest

3 Questions: Roberto Rigobon on world marketsMIT expert in international economics surveys a month of turmoil.

Wisdom of crowdsIn countries that lack financial records, how can we tell who is truly poor? An innovative study suggests: Ask the neighbors.

Said and DoneHumanities, arts and social sciences digest for July/August 2011.

When it pays to spend on health careMIT study shows that spending more on emergency-room patients saves lives.

Don’t (always) talk to your neighborSloan research says companies should consider costs when investing in knowledge transfer between co-workers.

Medicaid’s impact, finally measuredUnique study shows the effects of health insurance program: More treatment and fewer financial shocks for the poor, more bills paid for hospitals and doctors.

Said and DoneHumanities, arts and social sciences digest for June 2011

Taxation without documentationNew study shows ‘informal taxation’ in developing countries is far greater than suspected, supporting public works — and adding a burden for the poor.

Tracking the flow of knowledgeStudy shows scientists’ location influences how widely their work is read and used for innovations.

The visible handIn MIT talk, Eliot Spitzer defends role of government in regulating markets, claims economy still ‘on the precipice’ of deep problems.

Life on a dollar a dayIn Poor Economics, Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo open a window into the lives of the world’s poorest people, and suggest new remedies to combat poverty.