A new study introduces choice engineering—a powerful new way to guide decisions using math instead of guesswork. By applying carefully designed mathematical models, researchers found they could influence people’s choices more effectively than relying on gut instincts or even traditional psychology. This discovery could pave the way for smarter, more ethical tools to improve decision-making in areas like education, health, and everyday life.

Amid escalating tensions and evolving diplomatic overtures, the relationship between Israel and Syria has entered yet another complex phase. In wake of the fall of the Assad regime, tentative diplomatic signals come against a backdrop of intensifying military activity. In a sweeping historical study published in Israel Studies (Vol. 29, Issue 2), Professor Elie Podeh of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers an insightful look into over seven decades of clandestine and public efforts to achieve peace between Israel and Syria.

In a world where cars symbolize freedom, some Israeli families are finding liberation in going without them. A new study from the Hebrew University explores the surprising motivations of middle-class parents in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem who choose to live car-free—not out of necessity, but by design. Their reasons range from fear of driving to a desire for healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and more independent children. These “outlier” families offer powerful insights that challenge transportation norms and open new avenues for policy and planning.

Today, students at the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Medicine held a special event called Hospital for Bears, dedicated to the memory of two of their classmates: the late Carmel Gat, who was murdered in Hamas captivity, and Eyal Berkowitz, who fell in battle in Gaza. Both were students at the faculty and are deeply missed by their peers.

Prof. Netta Barak-Corren of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Law and the Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality has been selected to join the European Research Council’s (ERC) prestigious “Ambassadors for the ERC” program. Professor Barak-Corren recently won an ERC Starting Grant to launch EmpiriCon, a pioneering research project that addresses the lack of empirical grounding in constitutional law.

A new nationwide study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem uncovers the Israeli public’s conflicting attitudes toward free-roaming cats. While nearly a third of respondents regularly feed stray cats, a large majority still support reducing their numbers. This contradiction highlights the complexity of public attitudes, where emotional actions coexist with ecological concerns. Researchers emphasize the need for public education and propose involving cat feeders in monitoring and control efforts to improve policy effectiveness.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem marks a significant moment as two of its Faculty of Law members—Prof. Yuval Shany and Edut 710 with Dr. Renana Keydar—are recognized with the 2025 Landau Prize for Sciences and Arts, one of Israel’s most prestigious national awards. This dual acknowledgment reflects their profound contributions to legal scholarship, public responsibility, and civic resilience in times of crisis.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly announces that Professor Sergiu Hart has been elected as an International Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors in the global scientific community.

Jerusalem, Israel – The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is proud to announce that Dr. Chaim Garfinkel, Professor in the Institute of Earth Sciences, has been named a 2025 Laureate of the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel, one of the country’s most prestigious honors for early-career researchers. 

A team of researchers has made a significant breakthrough that could save countless lives in emergencies involving severe blood loss. Their new treatment involves activating a protein called PKC-ε soon after intense bleeding occurs. In their studies, this approach tripled survival rates, increasing them from 25% to an impressive 73%. Additionally, the treatment helped maintain healthy organ function by boosting cellular energy levels, offering hope for improved outcomes in emergency trauma care.