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Proof Over Precedent

Proof Over Precedent

Written by: Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School
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About this listen

 The Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School discusses the work of bringing credible evidence to lawyers, judges, and decision makers, to transform the U.S. justice system into an evidence-based field. We bring you weekly one-on-one interviews with experts in the area of access to justice -- researchers, lawyers, professors, law students, data analysts, research participants, and anyone who has an interesting role in this growing area.© 2025 Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 33: Are Federal Regulations Protecting Prisoners or Paralyzing Research?

    Episode 33: Are Federal Regulations Protecting Prisoners or Paralyzing Research?
    Jan 27 2026
    This episode of "Proof Over Precedent" brings together IRB Director Shannon Sewards and A2J Lab Faculty Director and podcast host Jim Greiner to talk about the complexity of ethical research involving incarcerated individuals and the balance between maintaining those ethical standards and advancing social and behavioral research. The discussion also delves into the differences between protections for biomedical research and those for behavioral research.
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    42 mins
  • Episode 32: Arbitration vs. Litigation -- Who Benefits?

    Episode 32: Arbitration vs. Litigation -- Who Benefits?
    Jan 19 2026
    When it comes to consumer protection, signing off on the fine print may equate to signing off certain legal rights and agreeing not to sue a company in court but rather to use arbitration. Does the process actually matter? Several studies find variances in consumer financial relief and win rates, along with potential incentives in mandatory arbitration that could discredit the integrity of the process. The latest "Proof Over Precedent" episode calls for new research to address the shortcomings of existing studies and to provide definitive findings on mandatory arbitration's impact on consumers.
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    16 mins
  • Episode 31: Life Without Parole—a Death Sentence in Disguise

    Episode 31: Life Without Parole—a Death Sentence in Disguise
    Jan 12 2026
    In this "Student Voices" episode, HLS J.D. candidate Kristen Arnold looks at the procedural shortcomings of life sentences without the possibility of parole, particularly in comparison to capital punishment cases. She dives into the injustices of the LWOP procedure, the no-hope consequences for inmates and the system, and opportunity for a randomized control trial in the field to improve fairness.
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    18 mins
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