Returning to MIT in Fall 2025 after a successful 2023 edition, Directions of Polarization, Social Norms, and Trust in Societies: Perspectives from the Behavioral Sciences is a two-day interdisciplinary workshop that brings together scholars and practitioners to explore the evolving dynamics of polarization. The workshop will be held on December 5th-6th in the Wong Auditorium at MIT. 

This year, the workshop broadens its scope to include insights from academia and industry, recognizing that polarization, shifting norms, and declining trust shape political discourse and affect workplaces, technologies, and communities. By drawing on a range of analytical perspectives — from behavioral science and social psychology to organizational research and public policy — the event aims to advance our understanding of how these forces emerge, interact, and can be addressed in an increasingly polarized world.

The workshop will feature both speakers (faculty/post-docs/industry) and poster presenters (graduate students). 

Keynote speakers include Beth Goldberg (Jigsaw, Google & Yale) and Adam Berinsky (MIT). 

This event is organized by Kati Kish Bar-On (MIT – STS), Adam Berinsky (MIT), Eugen Dimant (UPenn), Yphtach Lelkes (UPenn), and David G. Rand (MIT)