Harvard Thinking Harvard University

American schools have not recovered from the pandemic. On average, schools have lost half a grade level in math and a little less than that in reading. Some students have rebounded, but others are in even worse shape than they were before — and that’s when you can get them in the classroom in the first place. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with economist Thomas Kane, education policy and program expert Heather Hill, and New York State Master Teacher Stephanie Conklin about how to regain pandemic learning losses.

We’ve all held a grudge. As humans, we’ve all been hurt — and have hurt others. Forgiveness can be a way to release those negative emotions. What’s more, recent research shows forgiveness is linked to better health outcomes. So why is it so difficult? In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas speaks with Christian theologian Matt Potts, public health expert Tyler VanderWeele, and psychologist Laura Thompson to discuss forgiving when you can’t forget.

The capabilities of artificial intelligence have fallen short of human imagination. They’re now catching up, advancing at an alarming rate. It raises the question: How do we develop these technologies ethically? In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas discusses AI with legal expert Sheila Jasanoff, computer scientist Martin Wattenberg, and statistician Susan Murphy.

Nothing is certain except death and taxes. Yet the inevitability of death doesn’t prevent the discomfort and uncertainty felt by those facing the end of their lives. Many experience long deaths in hospitals, while others wrestle with whether to undergo invasive life-extending treatments. How do we confront death — as patients, counselors, and healthcare professionals — in a way that honors the fullness of life? In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas joins Buddhist chaplain Chris Berlin, bioethicist Mildred Solomon, and radiation oncologist Tracy Balboni to talk about end-of-life care.

The planet is only getting hotter. Significant resources need to be devoted to both climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, requiring cooperation at all levels of governance. But what do we do when the need for long-term cooperation is overshadowed by short-term interests? Host Samantha Laine Perfas is joined by environmental economist Robert Stavins, historian Emmanuel Akyeampong, and global health expert Caroline Buckee to talk about the challenges in addressing climate change.

In recent years, American democracy has withstood the damage of bitter polarization and a growing distrust of institutions, but there are some who worry the worst is yet to come. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas speaks with political theorist Danielle Allen, best-selling author Steven Levitsky, and constitutional law Professor Stephen Sachs about what it will take to re-energize and protect our system of government.