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Ahead of this year’s presidential election, we asked Columbia Business School faculty and other Columbia University experts to reflect on key topics—from housing and healthcare to national debt—that could shape this year’s vote. Here’s what they told us.

Professor Rebecca Ponce de Leon and her colleagues find that strategies stemming from a relational orientation can be particularly valuable for negotiators who lack a strong alternative — in other words, soft skills can lead to real business results. 

A research program from Columbia Business School suggests a link between religious intolerance and science denial.

New research from Professor Oded Netzer and his colleagues reveals that political polarization in the United States extends beyond obvious political indicators, spilling over to other aspects of our lives, like our brand preferences and purchases. Their work reveals more about this increasingly divided marketplace and its implications for both brands and consumers.

It’s clear that Kamala Harris takes the climate crisis much more seriously than Donald Trump. But even Trump's climate change stance cannot derail the ongoing global shift toward a low-carbon, high-efficiency economy, which continues to gain momentum, according to CBS's Professor Gernot Wagner.

With key appointments and contrasting philosophies in play, voters face a critical choice on the future of competition policy, argues Professor Paola Valenti.

Preservation of our financial stability and military dominance is on the line, and it depends on getting our debt problem under control, says Professor Pierre Yared.

From affordability challenges to climate risks, candidates must tackle America’s urgent housing crisis with innovative solutions and policy reforms, says Professor Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh.

With tariffs driving up prices and threatening corporate growth, voters need to understand the real economic stakes of US and China trade policies, says Professor David Weinstein.

As the U.S. election nears, the American public is witnessing the power of social media and elections: the partnership between political candidates and content creators, says Professor Mohamed Hussein.

Professor Laura Veldkamp outlines the key issues to consider when evaluating the candidates’ approach to Big Tech and monopolies during this election season.

With just days to go in the current presidential campaign, a greater focus on improving the nation’s health could be the deciding factor in a close election, argues Professor Michael Sparer.

The speed and intensity at which misinformation spreads indicates a growing difficulty in discerning truth, argues Professor Andrea Prat. It’s a challenge that could significantly impact voter decision-making in the upcoming election.

The technology poses significant challenges to electoral integrity and has sparked a race between those attempting to manipulate information and those striving to uphold democratic values, argues Professor Bruce Kogut.

Climate change is a significant issue for voters who are increasingly focused on how political parties balance environmental priorities with economic considerations. Gautam Gowrisankaran, a professor of economics at Columbia University, argues that a candidate who can find and clearly communicate a well-rounded approach to both will likely have an advantage.

A field experiment by Professor Kinshuk Jerath and his co-researchers shows that an optimal level of ‘retail media’ benefits both marketplaces and consumers.

The pharmaceutical company leader praised AI for boosting productivity, but noted that it’s still “all about the people.”