American Institutes for Research

As a co‑host of the CLOSE IT SUMMIT, AIR valued the strong turnout and substantive engagement across sessions. Conversations—focused on moving evidence into action and expanding employment pathways—made clear that the field is ready to shift from insight to implementation. AIR experts Wendy Brors, Stephanie Veck, Samia Amin, and Amanda Ahlstrand joined discussions on AI integration in workforce systems. While there is real interest in what’s possible, many attendees also emphasized the scale of change ahead—underscoring the need for intentional, system‑level approaches. AIR is committed to advancing this work in partnership with others across the field. Learn more about our workforce research and solutions: https://lnkd.in/gaCkY7wC We look forward to continuing the conversation and building on the connections formed at the summit. Jamai Wallis Blivin

The new AIR Health News highlights important developments shaping healthcare and policy: 🩺 Most infection-related maternal deaths are preventable 🤖 AI may detect pancreatic cancer years earlier 💊 Medicare pilots lower-cost access to weight loss drugs 🔬 Promising research in HIV treatment, dementia prevention, and TB trends Learn more: https://icont.ac/51hId

Energy transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, systems, and decisions. AIR partners with agencies, communities, and industry leaders to: ✅ Build future-ready energy workforces ✅ Evaluate programs and policies ✅ Strengthen community engagement ✅ Apply behavioral insights to energy use See how our research and technical assistance support smarter energy solutions: https://lnkd.in/ehqQbqxp

When do cash transfers improve health—and when do they save lives? Decades of evidence show cash transfers improve food security and incomes. But health impacts are far less consistent. New AIR research explores when, where, and under what conditions cash transfers influence health outcomes—and why context and implementation matter more than ever as global health funding tightens. Read the blog from AIR's Marlous de Milliano, Thomas de Hoop, and David Seidenfeld: https://lnkd.in/edFET9mJ

Why do some Ohio low‑performing schools struggle more than others? New research by AIR experts Drew Atchison and Damon Blair finds that underperformance reflects both underfunding and inefficiency—and the balance looks different from school to school. Understanding those differences could help states tailor support more effectively. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/epdf2hJ5

Gen AI offers opportunities to reshape workforce training, and upping the ante for those that delay AI adoption. What makes these AI investments count? A new Work Shift op-ed by AIR’s Samia Amin and Per Scholas COO Tamara Johnson Tamara Johnson explores the power of rapid cycle learning partnerships and the conditions that help scale lessons from individual AI pilots into organizational strategy. They identify key levers that help unleash a fly-wheel of impact: investing in agile learning partnerships, an organizational culture that supports “failure” that drives learning, and measuring what counts—with a special focus on adoption. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gdp32zbq

A recent Education Week article highlights a growing challenge: many general education teachers are being asked to support English learners, but staffing shortages and limited training leave them feeling underprepared. In the article, Rebecca Bergey, Ed.D. discusses the importance of building capacity where instruction often happens—general education classrooms. Bergey highlights how general education teachers can be better supported—through preparation, collaboration with language specialists, and practical training that develops knowledge and shifts mindsets. Her insights reveal that improving outcomes for English learners depends on strengthening day-to-day classroom practice across systems. https://lnkd.in/eF38Au87

During the pandemic, the Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED) launched a program for second and third grade students in Senegal who were struggling to read. The program teaches reading and math using languages children already speak; small learning groups matched to students’ skill levels; and step‑by‑step lesson plans. AIR's evaluation found that the program helped students make real progress in reading—especially in sounding out words and understanding what they read. The study provides high‑quality evidence from West Africa that well‑designed remedial programs can help students catch up. Learn more in a Global Partnership for Education blog co-authored by AIR's Uttara Balakrishnan, Sonam Gupta, and Pooja Reddy Nakamura: https://lnkd.in/eqCpvZf9

💻How can schools meaningfully integrate computer science, computational thinking, and AI across subjects and grade levels without adding to teachers’ already full workloads? During this LinkedIn Live on May 12 from 4:00-4:30pm ET, Rachel Garrett, Kathy House, Ed.D., Erin Mote, Cliff Sullivan (CSandAi), Ashley Townsend, and Lauren Barnes will explore how K–12 systems are embedding these skills into everyday instruction to better prepare students for the global workforce. This discussion will draw on lessons from state and local initiatives, spotlight real-world examples from classrooms and districts, highlight emerging research evidence, and elevate state and national perspectives on what it takes to scale high-quality learning for all students. Panelists will share practical insights on what’s working, the challenges they’re navigating, and the strategies that education leaders can use to support teachers and students alike. Whether you’re a district or state leader, school administrator, teacher, or education policymaker, this conversation will offer you concrete takeaways and inspiration for advancing #ComputerScience, #ComputationalThinking, and #AI. Hit “Attend” on the event page to save your spot: https://lnkd.in/eAZjsGGs

AIR’s Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) is a Platinum winner of the 2026 Hermes Creative Awards for its Recovering from Disorders of Consciousness video. The video explores the science of recovery from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), as well as gaps in access to inpatient rehab for people with disorders of consciousness. It follows the story of Hannah Strom, who spent weeks in a disorder of consciousness after experiencing a TBI, and includes insights from leading neurologists and rehabilitation specialists at the Spaulding‑Harvard TBI Model System. The award is one of the world’s longest running creative competitions honoring outstanding work worldwide. Watch the video: https://lnkd.in/e62sm8Xf