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Blog Posts by Pardee RAND Faculty

Campaign for Fair Food Makes a Real Difference

Aug 25, 2017

Susan L. Marquis @susanlmarquis

The Fair Food Program protects farmworkers while providing corporations with transparency in their supply chains and tremendous brand protection, writes Dean Susan Marquis. It has been widely recognized for improving agricultural working conditions and for changing the culture of America's farm fields.
What Emerging Research Says About the Promise of Personalized Learning

Aug 16, 2017

John F. Pane @JohnFPane

Personalized learning holds promise as an innovation that can lead to improved educational outcomes for students. But Prof. John Pane writes that implementers should have modest expectations for the magnitude of the benefits, and patience for the full benefits to emerge.
Extending Marketplace Tax Credits Would Make Coverage More Affordable for Middle-Income Adults

Jul 27, 2017

Jodi Liu, Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner

Paying for health care coverage is a challenge for Americans facing rising premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Alum Jodi Liu (cohort '12) and professor Christine Eibner say the ACA's tax credits that make marketplace insurance more affordable for lower-income individuals should be extended to middle-income adults aged 50–64.
Getting (Solar) Electricity Pricing Right

Jul 24, 2017

Nicholas Burger, Aimee E. Curtright @ACurtright, et al.

For many U.S. homeowners, an investment in rooftop solar is becoming a cost-competitive alternative to purchasing grid electricity. But student Benjamin Smith (cohort '15) and professors Nick Burger and Aimee Curtright note that, as demand soars, states are struggling to adapt a 20th-century electrical grid to 21st-century supply and demand, leading to confusion and cost uncertainty.
Should California Drop Criminal Penalties for Drug Possession?

Jul 20, 2017

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer, Robert J. MacCoun

Californians have a lot to consider when it comes to decriminalizing possession. But professor Beau Kilmer sayd now is the time for a rigorous discussion about removing criminal penalties for drug possession, rather than rushing to judgment in the heat of a future election season.
Navigating the Uncertain Path to Decarbonization

Jul 11, 2017

Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Horacio R. Trujillo

Deep decarbonization can reduce the risk of climate change, and it offers opportunities to reimagine energy, transportation, and infrastructure. But Prof. Robert Lempert says it could also fail in many ways. Diverse, independent actors need a shared understanding of its complexity and deep uncertainty to design a solution to this challenge.
Ingredients for Health Care Reform

Jul 10, 2017

Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner

Despite their differences, the Affordable Care Act and the current proposals to replace it take a similar approach to providing health insurance. Prof. Christine Eibner asks, What might some alternatives look like? And how could they provide coverage to more Americans?
Lessons for First Responders on the Front Lines of Terrorism

Jul 10, 2017

Mahshid Abir, Christopher Nelson

Given the persistent risk of terrorist attacks, it is critical to learn from past incidents to prepare for future ones, writes prof. Chris Nelson. Medical and nonmedical first responders need more training in basic lifesaving skills. Open communication lines such as a dedicated radio frequency could help responders better coordinate. Disaster drills are also essential.
Getting the Lead Out of Pittsburgh's Water

Jul 3, 2017

Jordan R. Fischbach @fischinwater, Linnea Warren May

Without an aggressive long-term strategy for replacing service lines, and collaboration among the water authority, public officials, and residents, lead in Pittsburgh's water will persist, writes professor (and alum) Jordan Fischbach (cohort '04).
How to Navigate Public-Private Partnerships in Higher Ed

May 26, 2017

Rita Karam, Charles A. Goldman

Universities are partnering with private companies that have the resources to help them compete in the online learning market and maximize student enrollment. Professors Rita Karam and Charles Goldman consider, do their different missions — providing high-quality education and making a profit — dilute the quality of the courses?
Is College Worth the Expense? Yes, It Is

May 22, 2017

Rafiq Dossani

Many American students struggle with the soaring cost of higher education, and for many college-going students, student debt can have severe negative implications. On balance, though, the benefits of a college degree appear to outweigh the costs, writes professor Rafiq Dossani.
Effects of Removing Maternity Care and Mental Health Treatment from Coverage Requirements

May 18, 2017

Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner, Christopher Whaley

The American Health Care Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act allows states to waive benefits that the ACA deemed “essential.” Dropping maternity care coverage, for example, would reduce premiums by 5 percent but increase out-of-pocket spending for new mothers, writes professor Christine Eibner.
What Street Food Vendors in Uganda Need to Succeed

May 16, 2017

Michele Abbott, Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen

Street vendors in Kampala, Uganda, would benefit from infrastructure development, food safety standards, rules of hygiene, and greater focus on healthy products, write student Michele Abbott (cohort '14) and professor Deborah Cohen. The city's growing population also would benefit from increased access to nutritious and affordable foods.
A New Ugandan Cuisine: Showcasing Superfood Qualities of Millet and Sorghum

May 9, 2017

Michele Abbott, Deborah Cohen @DrDebCohen

The results of a series of cooking contests in Uganda to promote the use of drought-tolerant, nutritious traditional grains—millet and sorghum—signal that a new food trend may be on the horizon. Student Michele Abbott (cohort '14) and professor Deborah Cohen describe their Pardee Initiative "Superfoods" project in this first of three blog posts.
Impact on the Environment from President Trump's First 100 Days

May 4, 2017

Debra Knopman

President Trump's actions have not yet resulted in demonstrable change in environmental conditions or funding, but the groundwork is being laid for unwinding major regulations and diminishing staff within the EPA and other federal agencies with climate-related research in their portfolios, says professor Debra Knopman.
U.S.-China Tensions Are Unlikely to Lead to War

May 1, 2017

Timothy R. Heath, William R. Thompson

The U.S.-China relationship today may be trending towards greater tension, but the relative stability and overall low level of hostility make the prospect of an accidental escalation to war extremely unlikely, writes professor Timothy Heath.
Mixed Messages: Is Cocaine Consumption in the U.S. Going Up or Down?

Apr 28, 2017

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer, Greg Midgette

Data lags and the elimination of the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring program complicate estimates of U.S. cocaine consumption. New users who haven't yet developed cocaine dependence are also a factor. Professor Beau Kilmer and alum Gregory Midgette (cohort '09) suggest it may be prudent to start planning for an increase in heavy use even before all of the evidence is in.
Rocky Road Ahead Likely for U.S.-China Relations

Apr 11, 2017

Timothy R. Heath

The first summit with President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping downplayed contentious issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea. But the differences run deep, writes professor Timothy Heath, and frustration is palpable on both sides. Moreover, the competition for international leadership continues.
How California Is Trying to Keep Autonomous Vehicle Development on Track

Apr 10, 2017

Nidhi Kalra @FollowNidhi

California's Department of Motor Vehicles recently proposed new regulations governing the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles. Professor Nidhi Kalra asks, will this help retain the state's status as a testing and deployment ground for the technology, and will it make California safer?
Strategic Consequences of U.S. Withdrawal from TPP

Mar 27, 2017

Timothy R. Heath

America's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership has exacerbated doubts about U.S. international leadership and America's role in Asia. Professor Timothy Heath says future trade agreements could face similar fates until they do a better job outlining how domestic workers can prosper.
Why China Will Not Unify with Taiwan by 2020

Mar 21, 2017

Timothy R. Heath

The prospects for peaceful unification of China and Taiwan continue to dim. Nothing Beijing has tried to woo or coerce Taiwan has worked. For those determined to compel Taiwan's unification, military subjugation remains a last option. But it would only worsen China's security environment, writes professor Timothy Heath.
Five Myths About American Obesity

Mar 13, 2017

Ruopeng An, Roland Sturm

Two in three Americans are overweight or obese. There are popular theories about what's causing the obesity epidemic but research does not support them. What is clear, write alum Ruopeng An (cohort '08) and professor Roland Sturm, is that most U.S. adults eat too many calories.
On 'Hidden Figures' and Being the Only Woman in the Room

Mar 12, 2017

Susan L. Marquis @susanlmarquis

A new film tells the true story of talented women who experienced racial and gender discrimination at NASA in the early 1960s. Like many women, they gained acceptance over time by being great at what they do. Dean Susan Marquis writes that women at RAND have also been pioneers in their fields and are familiar with being the only woman in the room.
U.S.-Japan Defense Relations Under Trump

Mar 3, 2017

Scott Warren Harold @ScottWHarold

U.S.–Japan relations appear to be stabilizing after a successful visit by Defense Secretary James Mattis to Tokyo that reaffirmed the alliance, followed by an equally successful visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the U.S. Next, asks prof. Scott Harold, will the Trump administration articulate goals for the region?
What Data Is the Government Keeping About You?

Mar 1, 2017

Dulani Woods, Brian A. Jackson

Governments are amassing a wealth of data on citizens, a trend that will continue as technology advances. But with no reliable way to ensure that the data is accurate, notes professor Brian Jackson, risks abound. In the criminal justice system, for example, poor quality data could affect individual freedoms and employability.

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