Meet the Harvard CID faculty affiliates uncovering how culture, institutions, and history shape the path of global development.
Culture, institutions, and historical legacies shape the foundations of societies—deeply influencing economic outcomes, opportunity, and governance.
Individuals’ lives and prospects are shaped by inherited beliefs, social norms, and the institutional rules that guide behavior. At CID, our research in culture, institutions, and history investigates how cultural context, traditions, and historical events influence development and the effectiveness of policy.
Faculty affiliates from across Harvard examine how institutions evolve, how collective memory shapes present-day challenges, and how culture drives decision-making and social change. From studying the long-term impacts of colonialism to analyzing how trust and values affect institutions, CID researchers are producing insights to help build more equitable and resilient societies.
Harvard CID Faculty Affiliates Advancing Research on Culture, Institutions, & History
Marcella Alsan
Marcella Alsan
Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Ruth Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Yvonne P. L. Lui Professor of Economics, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Ogunlesi Family Associate Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Featured Research on Culture, Institutions, & History
CID faculty research insights look at publications by Harvard faculty that have shaped current understanding of culture, institutions, and history. These summaries distill complex findings into accessible takeaways for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.
CID Faculty Publications
Explore the latest research from CID faculty affiliates on culture, institutions, and history, addressing how inherited beliefs, institutional structures, and historical legacies shape lives and opportunities. Discover insights into cultural influences on economic behavior, institutional evolution, and the lasting impact of history on current livelihoods. These data-driven studies inform policy and foster inclusive development.
Human capital affects religious identity: Causal evidence from Kenya
Human capital affects religious identity: Causal evidence from Kenya
In Kenya, kids who got health-driven schooling boosts were 20% less likely to join Pentecostal churches 20 years later. The shift was toward traditional denominations, not away from religion—suggesting better education reshapes spiritual identity, not belief.
CID Faculty Affiliate:
Zero-Sum Thinking and the Roots of U.S. Political Divides
Zero-Sum Thinking and the Roots of U.S. Political Divides
A survey of 20,400 Americans shows people who view the world as zero-sum are more likely to support redistribution—and even tighter immigration. This mindset is tied to ancestral experiences like slavery or low mobility, and spans race, income, and party lines.
CID Faculty Affiliate:
Boundary Construction and Education: un/belonging among Somali refugee students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Boundary Construction and Education: un/belonging among Somali refugee students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Somali refugee students in Addis Ababa’s public schools often feel alienated, despite national policies promoting inclusion. This study reveals a disconnect between policy and lived experience, as schools expect assimilation without addressing cultural and relational barriers. To foster true belonging and learning, education systems must go beyond access and actively engage refugee communities in shaping inclusive practices.
CID Faculty Affiliate:
Explore research from CID affiliates on how culture, institutions, and history shape economic behavior, opportunity, and societal outcomes.