Social and Behavioral Dynamics

The project uses data-driven methods to uncover how novel ideas emerge, spread and cross-pollinate through "inspirational cohorts"—networks of thinkers driving intellectual change. Leveraging bibliographical databases, natural language processing, and large language models, the project maps cross-disciplinary communities and examines cultural contexts fostering innovation. It specifically applies this framework to the Science of Purpose field to identify foundational concepts, trace their disciplinary origins, and chart future trajectories. The work aims to transform understanding of how intellectual movements evolve and provide insights for fostering innovative research communities.

The data justice research program uses large-scale, system-level datasets to reveal and challenge structural inequalities. It focuses on quantifying how policies and institutions shape disparate outcomes in areas such as public health, the criminal legal system, and housing. Current projects include measuring racial disparities in U.S. prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic, mapping the reach of sentence-length enhancements (e.g., drug-free zone laws), and identifying inequities in criminal municipal courts. These efforts are conducted in partnership with advocacy organizations to ensure that statistical findings inform meaningful policy change