2020  Community News

Research partnership explores bonds between mothers and nonspeaking autistic children

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz and the University of Virginia have been collaborating to better understand behaviors and beliefs that may strengthen relationships between mothers and children with nonspeaking autism.

Focus on access and equity for students guides changes physical education

The UC Santa Cruz Athletics and Recreation Department is committed to offering programs and activities that promote leadership, lifelong wellness, and experiential learning.

How to turn $1 into four healthy meals

Second Harvest Food Bank can feed a family of four with only $1 because of their extensive relationships with farmers, retailers, food bank networks, and dedicated volunteers.

CruzHacks 2021 to be held virtually January 15 to 17

Applications now open for hackers, mentors, and judges

UCSC arts professor documents spread of COVID-19 inside prisons, jails, and detention centers

A new Interactive web project by film and digital media professor Sharon Daniel creates a cumulative public record and evolving history of the pandemic’s impact on those incarcerated

Surge in online grocery shopping brings a quantity-over-quality jobs shift

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated emerging labor market trends associated with e-commerce in the grocery industry, creating mixed implications for jobs, according to a new report led by UCSC professor Chris Benner.

Resiliency is the name of the game for UC Santa Cruz Athletics and Recreation

The department has scored wins in many of the challenges of the pandemic by supporting students remotely, pivoting to online programming, and developing innovative ways to empower student-athletes and student support staff.

National Academies report on sustainability education features UC Santa Cruz expertise

UC Santa Cruz professor Anne Kapuscinski chaired the committee that developed the report, and campus initiatives were highlighted within as examples of innovative sustainability education.

UCSC offers new M.F.A. degree program in Environmental Art and Social Practice

The UC Santa Cruz Art Department is now accepting applications for a new M.F.A. degree program in Environmental Art and Social Practice (EASP), set to begin in fall quarter of 2021.

UC Santa Cruz celebrates its first Rhodes Scholar

Spring 2020 graduate Garima Desai was named among the top 32 scholars from across the U.S. who will have all of their expenses paid to attend graduate school at Oxford University through a Rhodes Scholarship.

'Living in a Frayed Democracy': Ethics lecture to feature noted alumnus Ezra Klein

UC Santa Cruz will present "Living in a Frayed Democracy," a trans-Atlantic public dialogue, featuring noted UCSC alumnus and journalist Ezra Klein and London political economist William Davies, as part of the Humanities Division’s Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture Series on Dec. 5.

Humanities Institute to host acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates in special post-election event

Coates will be in conversation with Adam Serwer, staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, to discuss his acclaimed novel "The Water Dancer"—as well as the state of the country after the election

Research breakthrough achieves fish-free aquaculture feed that raises key standards

A new aquaculture feed formula eliminates conventional fish meal and fish oil ingredients by combining ingredients derived from two species of marine microalgae.

The 2020 new Slug reality: Handling adversity and transitioning to a virtual learning experience

Remote learning has its challenges, but the newest class of Banana Slugs is making the most out of this uncharted experience.

Arts professor micha cárdenas wins IndieCade Award for climate art game

Sin Sol (No Sun), an art game by UCSC assistant professor of Art & Design: Games and Playable Media, micha cárdenas, has won the Impact Award at the 2020 IndieCade International Festival of Independent Games.

Film professor Jennifer Taylor’s new documentary to screen online at DOC NYC film festival

America’s largest documentary film festival will be screening 'For the Love of Rutland'—the new documentary feature by UCSC associate professor of film and digital media Jennifer Maytorena Taylor—online throughout the U.S. this month.

Expanding the lines of communication

Muratcan Cicek, a Ph.D. candidate in computer engineering who won a prestigious 2020 Google Ph.D. fellowship, is working to improve head-based pointing methods for those who cannot use a mouse or trackpad.

Award-winning poet Morgan Parker to read at 11th annual Morton Marcus memorial event

Acclaimed poet, essayist, and novelist Morgan Parker will be the featured guest at the 11th annual Morton Marcus Memorial Poetry Reading, which takes place this year as a virtual event on November 12. 

Student housing environmental review affirmed by the courts

A UC Santa Cruz project that will significantly increase campus housing options for current graduate and undergraduate students has cleared a crucial hurdle in the courts.

UCSC Library completes project to make 670 Cabrillo Music Festival recordings available to public

The project preserves and now makes available live Festival performances from 1964 to 1990, featuring works by such experimental artists as John Cage, Annea Lockwood, and Lou Harrison.

Feminist studies Ph.D. student receives American Association of University Women fellowship

The program aims to tackle barriers women face in education by recognizing recipients whose academic work and community projects empower women and girls.

UCSC alumna Traci Chee named finalist for 2020 National Book Award

'We Are Not Free,' a work of historical fiction by UC Santa Cruz alumna Traci Chee, has been named a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.

The savior of the opera

With dampened prospects for in-person classes, rehearsals, and performances this pandemic year, UC Santa Cruz’s opera program is adapting with help from donor Scott Lord

‘Visualizing Abolition’ series kicks off with conversation featuring Angela Davis and Gina Dent

The UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences has joined forces with associate feminist studies professor Gina Dent to offer a year-long online series featuring artists, activists, scholars, and lawyers united by their commitment to the struggle for prison abolition.

Founding campus leader Hal Hyde dies at 97

Harold A. (Hal) Hyde, who, as the first vice chancellor for business and finance at the University of California, Santa Cruz, helped create a world-class campus on a sprawling cattle ranch, died peacefully of natural causes Oct. 12 at 97.

UC Santa Cruz study cited in arguments against gig economy proposition

The report, "On-demand and on-the-edge: Ride-hailing and Delivery Workers in San Francisco," underscores the financial vulnerability of workers in the gig economy.

Challenging how we see the prison-industrial complex

An ambitious two-part exhibit, titled Barring Freedom and Visualizing Abolition, organized by the UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences, combines art and activism to address prison and policing issues.

UCSC seeks clarity on water access

After many meetings and years focused on resolving the disagreement, involving the courts will not impact the strong, productive partnership the campus has with the city, particularly as it relates to water conservation.

Joint statement from chancellor and mayor on water access

The chancellor and mayor agree that a court ruling is the best route to settle the long-standing dispute the university and the city of Santa Cruz have regarding access to water service throughout the UC Santa Cruz campus. 

UC Santa Cruz Human Rights Lab investigates social unrest in Chile

Human Rights Investigations Labs at UCSC and UC Berkeley collaborated on open source research focused on the human rights crisis in Chile, which began with massive anti-government demonstrations a year ago that prompted a swift and sometimes brutal government crackdown on protestors.

University Library to launch new documentary podcast series about Loma Prieta earthquake

The Library will celebrate the launch of 'Stories from the Epicenter'—a new documentary podcast series about the Loma Prieta Earthquake in Santa Cruz County—with a free online event on Oct. 16.

10-screen film installation and photo exhibition by professor Isaac Julien opens at McEvoy Arts

The McEvoy Foundation for the Arts in San Francisco will present the West Coast debut of 'Lessons of the Hour,' a moving image and photography exhibition about the life of Frederick Douglass by British filmmaker, installation artist, and UC Santa Cruz professor of the arts, Isaac Julien.

UCSC publishes online collection of 10,000 photos documenting over a century of Santa Cruz history

The University Library at UC Santa Cruz announced today the online publication of the Santa Cruz County Historic Photograph Collection, featuring original photographs and copy prints from 1866 to 1995.

Rising from the ashes

Archaeological researchers from UC Santa Cruz are among the volunteers searching through rubble for homeowners who lost their loved ones’ cremains in the fires that ravaged Oregon and California.

Wildfire relief grants awarded to employees, students

Through generous gifts from alumni, donors, and the campus community, UC Santa Cruz has been able to provide more than 60 grants to the employees who were most severely impacted.

UC Santa Cruz alumna Maya Rudolph wins two Emmy Awards

Last night, UC Santa Cruz alumna Maya Rudolph picked up her second Emmy of the week for her impression of California senator and Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live

LALS doctoral candidate Candy Martínez awarded Native American Scholars Initiative Fellowship

Candy Martínez, a PhD. candidate in Latin America Latino Studies, has been named a 2020-2021 Andrew W. Mellon Native American Scholars Initiative Fellow at the American Philosophical Society.

The global land rush

In her new book, 'Fields of Gold, Financing the Global Land Rush,' Madeleine Fairbairn looks at forces and players that have transformed farmland into a novel financial asset class.

New federal funding supports student success, equity

Five years of federal funding from the Title V Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Program will support a new project, "Graduating and Advancing New American Scholars (GANAS) - Career Pathways."

2020 Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture to feature visionary author Margaret Atwood 

Award-winning poet, novelist and essayist Margaret Atwood will be featured in conversation with UCSC alumna Kate Schatz, the New York Times bestselling author of "Rad American Women A-Z," as part of the Humanities Division’s annual Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture Series.

New art game explores intersection of personal trauma and climate induced wildfires

Sin Sol (No Sun) is an augmented reality game that allows players to experience the feelings of a climate change event. Set 50 years in the future, it tells the story of environmental collapse from the past—which is our present in 2020.

Summer Session helps students earn degrees

UC Santa Cruz staff and faculty have been steadily working to increase summer session enrollment, leading UCs in online offerings and working with departments to offer the classes students need to graduate.

Election series looks at critical moment in time

The four-part series will address how social movements on the left and right have shaped what is at stake in the election, what institutional barriers to democracy exist in America’s political system, and how patterns of civic engagement are influencing the election.

In the line of fire

Alumnus Adam Lowdermilk had built a career as a musician, but the tragic 2018 Camp Fire prompted a change of heart and a leap into firefighting.

John R. Lewis College: Providing the tools to stand up against injustice and create change

John R. Lewis College students take on social justice issues while pushing for positive growth and progress in society.

Rising to the Eco-Challenge

Two Slug alumni were part of a grueling, 11-day, 416-mile adventure race called Eco-Challenge Fiji, caught in a 10-episode series streaming on Amazon Prime.

History professor Eric Porter examines musical improvisation as a response to crisis

"Playing for Keeps: Improvisation in the Aftermath" is an exploration of the various ways that musical improvisation can be used as a method for responding to crisis and dealing with trauma and stress.

Threatened by wildfire, UC Santa Cruz campus shows it is 'Slug Strong'

Fast thinking and teamwork are keeping the UC Santa Cruz campus community safe during the devastating Lightning Complex fires as staff across campus coordinate in evacuating, relocating, and feeding displaced campus residents.

Marine mammals show off their training in evacuation from Long Marine Lab

All of the resident marine mammals at UCSC’s Long Marine Laboratory are safe and well after a successful evacuation effort.

UCSC historian Greg O’Malley awarded NEH grant for research on slavery in early America

UCSC history professor Gregory O’Malley has received a Public Scholars Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to write a biography of David George, who was born a slave in 1743 and whose pursuit of freedom intersects with major events of the Revolutionary Era.

Economist's research cited in bill to strengthen federal minority business agency

When the COVID–19 pandemic hit, Professor Rob Fairlie knew he needed to shift his research to the economic impact of the crisis.

Going with the flow—famed Ocean Explorers Summer Camp heads online

COVID-19 compelled the Seymour Marine Discovery Center to take its popular Ocean Explorers Summer Camp virtual after running the program in person for 21 years—a successful experiment that presented both challenges and opportunities.

UCSC linguists receive $400,000 NSF grant for research on rarely studied languages

UC Santa Cruz linguistics professors Maziar Toosarvandani, Ivy Sichel, and Matthew Wagers have been awarded a $411,058 grant from the National Science Foundation to support research on endangered languages.

College Nine: Embracing world cultures and developing tomorrow’s leaders

College Nine encourages students to take part in experiential learning opportunities and inspires them to become global citizens.

New Sikh and Punjabi Studies chair to enhance Asian Studies with focus on social justice

Associate professor of literature Guriqbal Singh Sahota has been appointed the new Sarbjit Singh Aurora Endowed Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies.

UC Santa Cruz, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County partner to expand access to COVID-19 testing

The campus is testing 200-400 samples every week collected by Salud Para la Gente and Santa Cruz Community Health. UCSC is providing the tests on a cost recovery basis and Community Foundation Santa Cruz County will be paying for the cost of the tests.

Humanities Institute and Cabrillo Festival to celebrate fight for equal voting rights

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz has teamed up with the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and Bookshop Santa Cruz to present "Celebrating Woman Suffrage and the Struggle for Voting Rights"—a live Zoom panel discussion followed by audience Q&A

Virtual Dickens Universe to spotlight link between Victorian and African American studies

For nearly four decades, the Dickens Project at UC Santa Cruz—the largest multi-campus consortium on Victorian studies in the world—has presented the Dickens Universe, a week of intense study and festivities among the redwoods. But this year, due to the pandemic, it will instead be hosting a weeklong "Virtual Dickens Universe."

New film by Jennifer Taylor portrays Vermont town as microcosm of divided America

"For the Love of Rutland," a new documentary by UCSC film professor Jennifer Taylor, is an exploration of the multiple problems now faced by rural America--most notably the opioid epidemic, income inequality, racism, and xenophobia. 

UC welcomes our next president: Michael V. Drake, M.D.

The University of California Board of Regents has appointed Michael V. Drake, M.D., as the 21st president of UC’s world-renowned system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three nationally affiliated labs, more than 280,000 students and 230,000 faculty and staff.

Karen Yamashita offers dazzling short stories about growing up in Japanese America

Sansei and Sensibility, the latest book by UC Santa Cruz emerita professor of literature Karen Tei Yamashita is a dazzling collection of short stories about growing up and living in Japanese America.

Merrill College: Embracing individuality and cultural identities

Merrill College values diversity, inclusion, and experiential learning.

UCSC collaborates with Santa Cruz Shakespeare for virtual Shakespeare Summer Series

The Humanities Institute and Shakespeare Workshop at UC Santa Cruz are joining forces with Santa Cruz Shakespeare to present their first virtual Shakespeare Summer Series.

Seymour Center director to retire

During Julie Barrett Heffington’s 21-year term as director, the center has established widely appreciated public programs and served nearly 1.5 million visitors

Hellman Fellows Program and UC announce $125 million commitment to faculty research

The Hellman Fellows Program and the University of California announced a plan to permanently support the Hellman Fellows Program on all 10 campuses in the UC system.

Building bridges out of prison walls

Student Alyssa Tamboura began a student-run, volunteer program called Walls to Bridges that mediates meetings between those jailed and their families as a way to work their way back to better relationships.

UCSC’s SocDoc graduate documentary films to be screened online June 15 to August 31

UC Santa Cruz will present the premiere of thesis films by nine graduating M.F.A. students in the field of social documentation this year—in a special online presentation from June 15 to August 31.

THI presents acclaimed writer Pico Iyer in conversation with history professor Alan Christy

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz and Bookshop Santa Cruz will present an online event featuring bestselling author Pico Iyer in conversation with UCSC history professor Alan Christy.

Social Sciences recognizes students amid unprecedented times

The Social Sciences Division announced the recipients of its annual student achievement awards.

Historian Greg O’Malley awarded ACLS grant to expand Intra-American Slave Trade Database

UC Santa Cruz associate history professor Gregory O’Malley has received a 2020 Digital Extension Grant from The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) to expand coverage of the Intra-American Slave Trade Database.

Campus, Santa Cruz Community Health unite to test underserved community members

As news outlets published stories about celebrities and athletes unnecessarily getting tested for COVID-19, UC Santa Cruz scientists and staff saw an opportunity to provide fast testing for the community's most vulnerable residents who too often do not have access to the same medical services.

UCSC poet, lecturer, and alumnus Gary Young receives Dizikes Teaching Award in Humanities

Literature Department lecturer Gary Young has been selected as the 2019-20 recipient of the John Dizikes Teaching Award in Humanities.

Protecting vulnerable children and families during the pandemic

In addition to experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death, the most vulnerable among us are losing ground in schooling, learning, and development, according to the authors of a new policy brief aimed at lawmakers.

Eminent biologist Carol Greider to join UC Santa Cruz faculty

Known for her pioneering work on telomeres, Nobel laureate Carol Greider brings exceptional research and leadership skills to her appointment in the Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology.

Virtual art galleries created to exhibit works of 13 Irwin Scholars

This year’s exhibition of artwork by 13 Irwin Scholars typically would be installed at the Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery at Porter College. But, with campus closed and a physical exhibition out of the question, Irwin 2020 has gone virtual.

Field courses boost STEM diversity, study reveals

The challenge of diversifying STEM fields may get a boost from the results of a new study that show field courses help build self-confidence among students—especially those from underrepresented groups.

With a focus on public safety, Lick staff member turns to making masks

As a quilter with more than 40 years experience, Michele Redel decided to start making masks for the close-knit community at Lick Observatory.

Cowell College: Blazing the trail to lifelong learning

UC Santa Cruz’s first college prides itself on academic rigor and the spirit of community, living up to its motto: “The pursuit of truth in the company of friends.”

Washington Post's depictions of autism shift from "cause and cure" to acceptance, study finds

The Washington Post's depiction of autism has shifted over the years from a focus on "cause and cure" toward one of acceptance and accommodation, say the authors of a new study.

Focus on patients led alumna to nursing

Even in the midst of COVID-19, Hannah Miller said she continues to do the same job—caring for patients when they are at their most vulnerable.

Already vulnerable, gig economy workers in San Francisco suffer during coronavirus pandemic, survey reveals

A new survey of app-based ride-hailing and food and grocery-delivery workers in San Francisco underscores the financial vulnerability of workers in the gig economy—and the coronavirus has made their plight much worse.

Slug Support provides a lifeline in the COVID-19 crisis

Emergency student assistance program rapidly shifts to remote work while fielding increased caseload and providing crucial help to some of campus's most vulnerable students

Enrollment opens for UCSC Summer Session Remote

Open enrollment is underway for UC Santa Cruz Summer Session, which offers a wide range of remote courses across multiple departments.

Zavella authors new book about reproductive justice

Pat Zavella, professor emerita of Latin American and Latino studies, has published a new book about the reproductive justice movement that blends research, history, theory, and memoir.

Alumnus sews up $1 million prize on TV's Making the Cut

Graduate Jonny Cota, competing against international designers, makes a splash on reality-style fashion show produced by model Heidi Klum and fashion consultant Tim Gunn.

UC Santa Cruz diagnostic lab to begin coronavirus testing May 1

The UCSC Molecular Diagnostic Lab will be conducting tests for coronavirus infections for the Student Health Center and local medical providers.

Lecturer Ryan Coonerty named UC Free Speech Fellow

Ryan Coonerty, a longtime lecturer in the Legal Studies program at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a 2020-21 fellow of UC’s National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement.

UC Santa Cruz theater arts costume shop steps up to combat COVID-19

Just a couple of weeks ago, Brent Foland never imagined he'd be building face masks for his fellow UC Santa Cruz employees.

Agroecology major available this fall

Beginning this fall, students will have an opportunity to enroll in a new agroecology major, an interdisciplinary program housed in the Environmental Studies Department.

Delivery and ridehailing workers lack critical protections from coronavirus

Chris Benner led an online survey of app-based workers in San Francisco, and preliminary results reveal significant financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Campus directive - restrictions on select trails and recreational spaces

Be advised that the campus is lifting some access and location restrictions while still maintaining closures of some locations.

Broadcasting opportunity

Alumnus Rizal Aliga takes the KZSC model to his high school alma mater, establishing a student-run broadcasting club that builds school spirit while providing students with career and communications skills.

Campus emergency directive closes trails and recreational spaces through April 15

Effective immediately, all UCSC campus trails and recreational spaces are closed and prohibited for use through April 15, 2020. Closure signs (in English and Spanish) are currently being posted at trailheads and recreational spaces (an initial list of locations is below and additional areas may receive signage). This directive follows the county's order to fight the spread of COVID-19 by sheltering in place. Please do your part, shelter in place, and only leave home to conduct essential activities.

New program advances global and community health

As countries across the globe fight the coronavirus pandemic, UC Santa Cruz is creating a new program that will prepare students and provide research to solve current and future global health problems.

COVID-19: Economist helps build "contact tracing" app for Peru

In an effort to protect people from COVID-19, economist Kristian López Vargas helped lead the development of an app the Peruvian government has launched to improve "contact tracing" .

Discrimination, governance, and trust in the age of COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has upended daily life around the world, and is simultaneously triggering challenging questions of discrimination, governance, and trust, says sociologist Jenny Reardon.

Grow your own veggies? Orin Martin offers tips for novice gardeners

Orin Martin is delighted that people are responding to the coronavirus pandemic with a desire to grow their own veggies, and he has lots of knowledge to share—as well as one plea: Be sure to plant some flowers, too.

Emergency notification: Confirmed case of COVID-19 at UCSC

We write to share that the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency confirmed today that a student member of the UC Santa Cruz community has tested positive for COVID-19. The student lives off campus and has been self-isolating since being tested. The student was last on campus March 16 and is doing well.

California Sea Grant funds sustainable aquaculture project

Pallab Sarker, an associate research professor in environmental studies, has received support from the Coastal Sea Grant program to fund his research into the development of sustainable feed for farmed fish.

Campus to host an additional scoping session for Long Range Development Plan

UC Santa Cruz has announced an additional online scoping session to provide people with another opportunity to provide public input for its Long Range Development Plan.

Orin Martin recognized for 'Fruit Trees for Every Garden'

Orin Martin's book 'Fruit Trees for Every Garden' has been recognized by the American Horticultural Society as one of the outstanding gardening books of 2019.

Do not use thermal heating packs on campus

Police and fire officials urge students who remain in campus housing to avoid the use of thermal heating packs to heat food.

UC Santa Cruz campus was ready for its close-up

Producers of 'Devs,' the new sci-fi thriller that premiered March 5 on Hulu, were looking for just the right location to depict a high-tech corporate campus with a tinge of dystopia. It needed to look like Northern California — sort of Silicon Valley-ish — and it needed to say science and tech. UC Santa Cruz was the right place at the right time.

Timing is key for parents who want to help children learn at museums, say researchers

Children's museums can be a challenging environment for parents who feel the urge to explain the science behind all the novel activities that dazzle youngsters. New research suggests that timing is key to supporting children's learning in these environments.

Two programs will support undergrads in research, service learning, and peer mentoring

Undergraduates in the Division of Social Sciences will soon benefit from two programs that will provide paid opportunities to do research, engage in service learning, and mentor their peers.

New book debunks myths about who causes crime and why

Craig Haney, a distinguished professor of psychology, is the author of the new book Criminality in Context: The Psychological Foundations of Criminal Justice Reform, a comprehensive analysis of 40 years of research into the root causes of criminal behavior.

Encouraging responsible communication on COVID-19

We understand there is a lot of information on the news and in social media surrounding the COVID-19 (coronavirus), and we wanted to ensure you know that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus. Any social media speculation about confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus is incorrect. 

UC Santa Cruz preparation for coronavirus

Though there are no confirmed cases of the virus here on our campus, the first confirmed case could very well happen on campus at any time. We want to be as prepared as possible so we can move quickly should we need to.

Elaine Sullivan uses 3D technologies to peel away the layers of history

A new "born-digital" publication by UC Santa Cruz associate history professor Elaine Sullivan takes a fresh look at the ancient Egyptian burial site of Saqqara to demonstrate how it has evolved over more than 2,500 years.

Information sessions set for March 12 to review LRDP Environmental Impact Report process

Public agencies and members of the public are invited to two scoping sessions to learn more about the environmental review process for the UC Santa Cruz proposed Long Range Development Plan

Campus community input needed for grassland management plan

Justin Luong is trying to prioritize different campus grasslands for protection, given campus enrollment goals, sustainability goals, and the long range development plan.

UC Santa Cruz joins national "tech for social good" network

UC Santa Cruz has been accepted into a new national network of colleges and universities that have made an explicit commitment to developing technology that will advance the public interest.

Campus conference to inaugurate new ‘Helene Moglen Lecture in Feminism and Humanities’

UC Santa Cruz will present Writing for Living, a conference in honor of emeritus dean of humanities and literature professor Helene Moglen (1936-2018), on March 13-14 at the Humanities Division.

Aquaculture to benefit people and the environment

Two graduate students have received a one-year, $150,000 grant to create environmentally sound seaweed and sea cucumber farms on the coasts of Kenya and The Gambia.

Norris Center aims to inspire naturalists across campus

Jessica Correa has loved insects since she was a little girl. Today she is an instructor with the Bird School Project. The Norris Center for Natural History gave her the support that launched her career in environmental education.

Art professor’s exhibition in Spain addresses algae and climate change

UC Santa Cruz art professor Jennifer Parker believes that algae are an “unsung hero of the planet”--noting that these photosynthetic organisms produce one half of the total global oxygen, while absorbing one third of the carbon dioxide produced worldwide...

Van Williams, vice chancellor of information technology, talks diversity

In recognition of Black History Month, UC's Office of the President interviewed Vice Chancellor of Information Technology Van Williams, a UC thought leader on diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Using isotopes to reconstruct life histories within the transatlantic slave trade

Four hundred years after the displacement of millions of Africans began, anthropologist Vicky Oelze wants to use isotope biogeochemistry to trace back and identify the origins of individuals who were abducted and perished in the Americas.

Bringing new perspectives to astronomy

An array of grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation is helping UC Santa Cruz accelerate astrophysics and other sciences while changing what we think an astrophysicist looks like

Humanities Institute launches new ‘Deep Read’ initiative with spotlight on Margaret Atwood

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz has launched “The Deep Read,” a new initiative that invites the campus—and the community at large—to take a deep dive into literature, art, and the most pressing issues of the day.

Women's Rugby celebrates 40 years

The UC Santa Cruz Women's Rugby team celebrates its 40-year history, including numerous titles and hundreds of friendships.

Community input key for new Athletics and Recreation Banana Slug

Engineering speaker series highlights diverse voices in tech

The Baskin School of Engineering is presenting Diverse Voices 2020, a professional speaker series running through May 14 and featuring a diverse group of industry leaders, including alum Tara Hernandez.

Craig Haney testifies before committee charged with revising state's penal code

Craig Haney, distinguished professor of psychology, was the only witness to testify during the first meeting of the newly formed Committee on Revision of the Penal Code.

UCSC taking art/science LASER talk series downtown for special evening at Rio Theater

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Institute of the Arts and Sciences will bring its local LASER—now in its seventh year of quarterly talks on campus—downtown for a special evening at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, beginning at 7 p.m.

Questions That Matter: Reporting the Middle East and the future of investigative journalism

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz will present "Reporting the Middle East and the Future of Investigative Journalism"—the sixth installment of its Questions That Matter series—on Feb. 4 at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in downtown Santa Cruz.

Breaking down barriers to success

First-gen student Reina Garay-Solis is doing undergraduate research to help identify common challenges for first-gen and underrepresented students and find effective institutional practices to address them

‘We The Enemy’ solo show by artist Carlos Motta explores the politics of borders

'We the Enemy,' the first West Coast solo exhibition of artworks by internationally acclaimed artist Carlos Motta, opens at the Sesnon Gallery on Jan. 23. It will be accompanied by 'Bodies on the Border,' a symposium at UCSC and SFMOMA, organized by the artist in collaboration with UCSC's Institute of the Arts and Sciences.

Public conversation about race and racial reconciliation on Jan. 22

Racial reconciliation and the future of race in America will be the subject of a public conversation with scholars Alondra Nelson and Herman Gray on Wednesday, January 22, at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center.

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor to kick off ‘Beyond the End of the World’ lecture series

The Humanities Institute and the Center for Creative Ecologies at UC Santa Cruz will launch the "Beyond the End of the World" lecture series with award-winning author Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, on January 23, at the Music Center Recital Hall.

Arts professor’s anthology named one of 'Best Art Books of the Decade'

'Chicano and Chicana Art: A Critical Anthology'--a diverse collection of essays edited by UCSC history of art and visual culture professor Jennifer González--has been named one of the "Best Art Books of the Decade" by ArtNews.

Biodiesel for buses cuts carbon footprint

By switching to renewable diesel fuel, UC Santa Cruz has significantly reduced the amount of carbon emitted from its student shuttles and other fleet vehicles.

Food and anti-corporate globalization activist Vandana Shiva coming to campus Jan. 25-26

The public is invited to attend two events with legendary food activist Vandana Shiva, who will be at UC Santa Cruz on January 25 and 26.