Ending Ocean Plastic Pollution
Researchers have developed plastic-like materials that dissolve in the ocean and could soon come to market.
Social Issues - Articles
Human Capital Development
The Spring 2026 cover story examines how to invest in human flourishing in the age of AI. Plus: two important critiques of contemporary philanthropy and a new academic editor.
Welcome to the Era of Relational Intelligence
As AI begins to transform education, work, and social life, we need to focus on developing and expanding capacities essential for human flourishing.
The New Paradigm of Airborne Disease
The COVID-19 pandemic shattered established views of airborne disease. Although it represents a paradigm shift in public health, the field has yet to catch up.
Building a Climate-Activist Ecosystem
The Kennedy-backed nonprofit Climate Emergency Fund supports disruptive activism to raise awareness of the climate crisis—and is looking to scale. | Open access to this article for non-subscribers is sponsored by an SSIR supporter.
Transforming Organic Certification
Mexico's participatory guarantee systems are empowering small-scale farmers to compete with larger certified organic producers.
A Sideways Approach to Governing
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is seeking to improve his city by going neighborhood by neighborhood.
Paying for Public Failure Isn’t Always Charity
A response to Kevin Starr on the "philanthropy" of impact investing
The Civic Stakes of Organizational Disagreement
How organizations handle disagreement shapes not only their internal health, but also the civic capacities society depends on.
Excerpt
Grief Is a Gift
An excerpt from Tom Chi’s Climate Capital on building forward for the future we need.