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Can Science Save Development Aid?

Jacob Kushner

July 06, 2018 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya

A data-driven approach to foreign development/aid, one that centers randomized controlled trials and other markers of rigorous study, is gaining steam as a way to push forward programming and solutions that actually work. There are critiques that the method is expensive and doesn't scale easily, but many are excited by the potential for a new era of accountability and impact.

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Make America talk again: the lab teaching sworn enemies to have decent conversations

Amanda Ripley

June 27, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

To navigate conflict, researchers at Difficult Conversations Laboratories suggest “looping for understanding” and priming participants by sharing information showing the complexity of controversial issues. These strategies can build goodwill and the willingness to continue conversing.

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Good design is good policy

Sara Hudson

June 26, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

As the treasurer of St. Louis, Tishaura Jones is making transformative change to connect more people to banks and savings accounts. Modeling initiatives after other successful municipal government programs across the country, Jones helped start the College Kids Children’s Savings Accounts, which creates a college savings account for all children entering public kindergarten. This is one of many steps to help St. Louis residents take better advantage of financial services.

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How Silicon Valley is responding to the immigration crisis

Eric Johnson, Kara Swisher

June 25, 2018 |

Vox |

Multi-Media |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

A fundraiser called “Reunite an immigrant parent with their child” raised $19 million in one week for the Texas nonprofit RAICES. Creators Charlotte and Dave Willner say almost half a million people have donated via Facebook so far. They cite matching gifts and the fundraiser’s narrow focus and wide appeal as key factors in its success.

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Where Danes Butt Heads (Politely) With Their Leaders

Martin Selsoe Sorensen

June 23, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Allinge

Thousands of Danes attend a political festival called Folkemodet every year to mingle with government ministers and corporate executives and enjoy live music, comedy, and art. The casual atmosphere allows participants to ask tough questions of their leaders in person. Participants say the festival helps them learn more about political issues and inspires them to become more politically active.

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How two Belgian cities turned their pavements into playgrounds

Anoush Darabi

June 22, 2018 |

Apolitical |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Belgium, Antwerp

Urban planners in Belgium are creating play spaces, known as the “speelweefselplan,” to give children more room to be outside. The design process includes asking schoolchildren about their routes to and from school, and then planners map out ways to make those routes more interactive. As cities grow and traditional parks are limited, this model shows a way that cities can continue to be welcoming for children.

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Poachers become protectors: How tigers bounced back in an Indian park

Felix Franz

June 18, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Kumily, Kerala

With poaching on the rise in the South Indian Periyar Tiger Reserve, officials turned to the poachers themselves to see if they could turn their problem into a solution. In lieu of facing charges, the poachers became the protectors and the reserve saw a reduction in poaching all while offering an alternate form of income for the former full-time poachers.

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A Very Queer Street Art Movement Is Spreading Across the US

Paige Towers

June 15, 2018 |

Hyperallergic |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

A loosely connected movement of LGBTQ street artists are creating work with explicitly queer themes across the country. This work puts images of pride in public spaces as well as challenging perceptions about who creates street art.

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It's time to step away from the shiny object

Sara Hudson

June 04, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Anchorage, Alaska

By focusing on redefining a problem and finding a human-centered solution, government agencies can make more sustainable change than by merely using a temporary technology fix. In Anchorage, civil servants used behavioral design to redesign a debt collection letter. Though not so glamorous, this solution saved the government money, increased the rate of people who pay debts on time, and pushed the government to reassess their processes to better serve residents.

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A Blueprint for Human-Centered Change

Zack Quaintance

June 01, 2018 |

Government Technology |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In Michigan, private design firm Civilla successfully pitched a human-centered redesign of the state's unwieldy and redundant public benefits form. By highlighting and emphasizing the experience that applicants had with the old firm, Civilla convinced the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to make a change, and the new form is now 22% more likely to be completed.

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