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Explore our latest research, analysis, and commentary on critical policy issues shaping our world today.

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The Regulatory Landscape of AI and Child Technology Products
Center for Digital Wellness

The Regulatory Landscape of AI and Child Technology Products

By Ali Naseem, Khadija Mohammed, Oliver Huang

Prepared for Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Lab, this memo explains the regulatory landscape of AI and child tech products. Currently, the federal government has few regulations on the use of AI in child technology products. Lawsuits on AI chatbots, such as those involving Character AI, have made courts a regulator on AI and child tech products. In addition to lawsuits, state have proposed regulations for AI products, such as California’s LEAD for Kids Act. On a global level, entities, such as the European Union and the United Nations, also play a role in defining AI use with children.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Regulatory Policies in the U.S. Healthcare System
Health Policy

A Comprehensive Analysis of Regulatory Policies in the U.S. Healthcare System

By Natalie Zhang, William Zhang, Vyomini Vabilisetty, Subha Sundaram

Economic regulation in the healthcare industry has long been a subject of debate, balancing the need for affordability, competition, and innovation. Understanding these regulations is essential, as they directly impact both current and future generations. This paper analyzes the economic implications of regulation within the U.S. Healthcare industry, pulling from specific historical scenarios to analyze the benefits and harms of various viewpoints. This includes FTC antitrust laws, market-based price controls, and more.

An Economic Analysis of Global Trade on Monetary Policies in Emergency Markets and Economies
Center for Infrastructure and Economic Development

An Economic Analysis of Global Trade on Monetary Policies in Emergency Markets and Economies

By Natalie Zhang, Karina Yue, Abhi Bhambri

Over the past decade, emerging markets have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of global inflation challenges. As these nations continue to adapt, their ability to navigate inflationary pressures positions them for long-term success in an evolving global economy. As part of our continued goal to highlight youth viewpoints on issues of concern to them, SPRING seeks to bring the unique perspectives of students into global policies to implement more sources of renewable energy. This paper analyzes how recent inflationary trends affect global trade policies within emerging markets, providing background information on three case studies in India, the Congo, and Mexico.

A Comprehensive Economic Analysis of Renewable Energy in the United States
Center for Infrastructure and Economic Development

A Comprehensive Economic Analysis of Renewable Energy in the United States

By Natalie Zhang, Creighton Getting, Mateen Hasan

Over the past decade, grand progress has been experienced regarding the adaptation and implementation of renewable sources of energy. To combat current reliance on fossil fuels, numerous organizations have promoted a transition into renewable energy. This paper analyzes the economic implications of renewable energy, pulling from four U.S. domestic policies that involve the integration of renewable energy.

An Economic Analysis of the United States Health Policies During COVID-19
Health Policy

An Economic Analysis of the United States Health Policies During COVID-19

By Natalie Zhang, William Zhang, Vandana Ramanathan

As the world has slowly begun to resurface following the aftermath of COVID-19, health policies during the pandemic have also begun to draw attention regarding their effectiveness. Public health policies and pandemic prevention are topics of the utmost importance to the SPRING Group. This brief first provides the economic context from which COVID-19 rose, then provides a cost-benefit analysis of six national-level policies and 7 state-level policies and their economic implications.

From Classroom To Polling Booth: an Analysis of Mandatory Civic Education in Schools on Youth Political Participation
Center for Civic Education

From Classroom To Polling Booth: an Analysis of Mandatory Civic Education in Schools on Youth Political Participation

By Lila Cohen, Sam Underhill, Natalie Bookout, Isabella Rappaccioli, Vyomini Vabilisetty, Stephanie Hernandez-Oliva, Mateen Hasan, Alisa Zhao, Aanya Baddela, Grace Lee, Arav Wahi, Khadija Mohammed

In the United States, civic education has been at an all-time low. Teaching civics in schools is invaluable because the youth are much more malleable and easily influenced, making it possible to instill the value of civic engagement into students. Political participation is important in a democracy as it ensures that the government is in regulation by the people. This brief includes and analyzes a brief synopsis of the patterns of civic education in the primary regions of the United States.

Info Report on The Vet Act of 2025
Center for Digital Wellness

Info Report on The Vet Act of 2025

By Advay Ranade, Varun Mukund, Vivek Thankavel

Persistent barriers in veteran employment—ranging from skill-translation gaps and programmatic cuts to demographic disparities—continue to undermine the stability and well-being of those transitioning from military to civilian life, despite deceptively low headline unemployment rates. By situating the VET Act of 2025 within the landscape of earlier energy-sector initiatives, the analysis highlights both its strengthened grant structure and the remaining shortcomings that must be addressed to ensure equitable access, accountability, and long-term workforce integration. Grounded in evidence on the financial, mental health, and mission-driven benefits of energy-sector employment for veterans, the brief underscores the urgency of comprehensive, well-funded policy action to support those whose service has come at great personal cost.

INFO REPORT ON THE TRADE REVIEW ACT OF 2025
Center for Infrastructure and Economic Development

INFO REPORT ON THE TRADE REVIEW ACT OF 2025

By Varun Mukund, Goni Wong, Anshi Bhatt, Amanda Yi

The Trade Review Act of 2025 seeks to rebalance trade authority by requiring the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing any tariff and allowing those tariffs to expire after 60 days unless Congress approves them. By establishing a streamlined process for both approval and disapproval, the act strengthens legislative oversight while preserving the President’s ability to act quickly in genuine national-security emergencies. Supporters argue that this reform is necessary to prevent the kind of unilateral, economically disruptive tariff actions seen in recent years, including expansive uses of Sections 232 and 301. While critics warn that the bill could constrain executive flexibility and create openings for foreign lobbying, the article maintains that transparent, democratically accountable trade policy is essential for protecting consumers, industries, and U.S. global credibility.

Info Report on The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) Bill
Center for Digital Wellness

Info Report on The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) Bill

By Varun Mukund, Vivek Thankavel

Social media use among children and teens has surged, contributing to declining mental health, unrealistic body expectations, academic struggles, and growing exposure to harmful content. The Kids Online Safety Act aims to address these harms by requiring platforms to limit addictive features, restrict harmful algorithmic recommendations, curb promotion of self-harm and exploitation, and provide reporting mechanisms and audits to protect minors. Despite bipartisan momentum, the bill faces major objections centered on First Amendment risks, vague definitions like “duty of care,” and the potential over-censorship of resources important to marginalized youth. The article argues that while protecting children online is essential, the bill must be more precise and balanced to prevent government overreach and safeguard access to critical information.

INFO REPORT: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA)
Center for Civic Education

INFO REPORT: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA)

By Varun Mukund, Sarah Koshy

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act seeks to restore and modernize the core protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act by reinstating federal preclearance for jurisdictions with recent histories of voting discrimination. By updating coverage formulas, strengthening safeguards against vote dilution and denial, and using retrogression as a standard, the bill aims to prevent discriminatory laws before they take effect. It responds directly to the harmful impacts of the Shelby County v. Holder decision, which triggered widespread poll closures, voter purges, and restrictive ID laws. While the bill offers strong oversight and transparency mechanisms, its effectiveness depends on adequate resources for enforcement and careful management of federal authority.