Social Sciences

Social science faculty win nearly $7.4 million in research grants

Social Science faculty at UC Santa Cruz were awarded nearly $7.4 million in research grants so far during the current academic year, Dean Sheldon Kamieniecki announced.

UCSC alums contribute comment, analysis after Nelson Mandela's death

The recollections and analysis of UC Santa Cruz alumni figured prominently after the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela earlier this month.

Life lessons and a fast break for success

For UCSC student James Townsend, basketball not only provided lessons in hard work, perseverance, and self control—it was also his ticket off the streets.

Watsonville's new mayor is a UC Santa Cruz alum, a first for the city

The selection of Karina Cervantez (Kresge, '03, psychology) as Watsonville's mayor two weeks ago means UC Santa Cruz graduates hold the top municipal seats in Santa Cruz County's two largest cities.

UCSC's Museum of Natural History holds open house November 22 and 23

'Skins and Bones' is the theme for this year's open house at the UCSC Museum of Natural History.

UCSC ceremony honors Sam Farr as a 'Champion of Science'

U.S. Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel) received the Champion of Science Award at a UC Santa Cruz ceremony that highlighted his efforts to support research in sustainable agriculture and ocean sciences, two of UCSC's strengths.

Social Sciences Research Frontiers Day spotlights 21st century challenges

Twelve professors from eight disciplines in the Social Sciences presented their research on contemporary issues at the division’s first Research Frontiers Day, held on campus at Colleges Nine and Ten.

Prominent legal scholar to speak on legal reform in Japan

Professor Setsuo Miyazawa, Japan’s most prominent socio-legal scholar, will speak on legal reforms in Japan, Friday, October 25, at UC Santa Cruz.

UCSC hosts experimental economics conference, researchers probe choices

Experimental economists from around the world will gather in Santa Cruz next weekend for the 2013 North American Economic Science Association Conference co-sponsored by the UC Santa Cruz Economics Department and its Learning and Experimental Economics Projects lab.

New economic research center explores policy solutions, improvements to financial markets

The first event of the Center for Analytical Finance (CAFIN), a new research center at UC Santa Cruz, will feature a lecture by Professor Ila Patnaik, an expert on India’s economy, Monday, October 28 at 3:30 p.m. in the Economics Conference Room (E2, room 499) on the UCSC campus.

USDA grant boosts opportunities for sustainable agriculture education

A three-year, $730,000 grant will help UCSC expand courses and team with Cabrillo and Hartnell colleges to bring more students into four-year degree programs focused on sustainable agriculture.

Celebration of the life of John Marcum set for November 2 at Merrill College

A celebration of the life of John Marcum, former Merrill provost and professor emeritus of politics, is set for Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Merrill College Cultural Center, beginning at 2 p.m.

Social Sciences division honors teaching, staff, and scholarship

Marianna Santana received the Outstanding Staff Award for 2012-2013 and Gregory Gilbert the Golden Apple teaching award Wednesday as the UC Santa Cruz Division of Social Sciences held its annual fall staff and faculty breakfast.

UC Santa Cruz economists praise Yellen's nomination as Fed chair

UC Santa Cruz economists who have worked with Janet Yellen, President Obama's nominee to head the Federal Reserve, said she is an outstanding economist who believes in analytical, balanced, and transparent policy making.

First Research Frontiers Day features social science research on contemporary issues

The UC Santa Cruz Division of Social Sciences and Office of Research will present Research Frontiers Day, Friday, October 25, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring 12 faculty mini-lectures showcasing contemporary research.

Sociology's Reinarman wins local ACLU's 'Hammer of Justice Award'

Craig Reinarman, professor of sociology at UC Santa Cruz, was presented with the "Hammer of Justice Award" by the Santa Cruz chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Cover crop workshop covers how to protect and improve your soil

Gardeners, don’t put away your spade and fork just yet. Fall is the time to plant cover crops, and master gardener Orin Martin will show you how at an upcoming workshop at UC Santa Cruz’s Alan Chadwick Garden.

John A. Marcum, Africa scholar, UCSC politics professor emeritus, dies at 86

John A. Marcum, a renowned Africa scholar, UCSC professor emeritus of politics, and former Merrrill Provost died September 12 in Santa Cruz at age 86.

UCSC economics chair testifies on bill to raise California's minimum wage

UC Santa Cruz professor and chair of economics Rob Fairlie told state lawmakers that California's minimum wage should be raised so its purchasing power doesn’t continue to erode with inflation.

UCSC Farm hosts Fall Harvest Festival Sunday, September 29

Bright orange pumpkins, roasted red peppers, and apples galore mark the changing seasons at the 19th annual Fall Harvest Festival, Sunday, September 29 at UC Santa Cruz’s 30-acre organic farm.

Farm fresh

The U.S. farming population is growing older, but a young UCSC alum—founder of Lonely Mountain Farm—is bucking the trend.

Organic plant sale at UC Santa Cruz kicks off fall gardening season

The UCSC Farm & Garden’s Fall Plant Sale will offer a rich and timely selection of organically raised vegetable seedlings, perennials, and California natives.

UCSC well represented at White House student loan bill signing

A UC Santa Cruz alumnus and a current student watched in the Oval Office earlier this month as President Obama signed the historic bill that cuts student loan interest rates. Another alum helped lobby for the bill.

Two UCSC alumni win prestigious science teaching fellowships

Alumni Rick Barlow and Melissa Meloy won teaching fellowships from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation.

Science and Justice Training Program explores ethics of scientific research

A subtle but significant shift in how national science policy makers regard the outcomes of scientific research has created opportunities for innovative programs such as the Science and Justice Training Program (SJTP) at UC Santa Cruz.

Psychology professor Phillip Hammack wins early career award

UC Santa Cruz associate professor of psychology Phillip Hammack is one of two winners of the 2013 Erik Erikson Early Career Award from the International Society of Political Psychology.

Colleges Nine and Ten Provost Helen Shapiro to head UC Washington Center

Helen Shapiro, provost of Colleges Nine and Ten at UC Santa Cruz, has been named executive director of the University of California's Washington Center known as UCDC.

UCSC politics professor pioneers research on law in fragile states

Mark Fathi Massoud's family fled Sudan in 1983 when he was a boy. Now a lawyer and assistant professor of politics and legal studies at UC Santa Cruz, Massoud has published his first book, 'Law’s Fragile State: Colonial, Authoritarian, and Humanitarian Legacies in Sudan'

Bees ‘betray’ their flowers when pollinator species decline, study shows

Remove even one bumblebee species from an ecosystem and the impact is swift and clear: Their floral “sweethearts” produce significantly fewer seeds, a new study finds.

New child-study room a bridge to research and teaching

The Early Childhood Education Center was able to remodel its observation room as part of a $165,000 grant from the Claire Giannini Fund, allowing advanced developmental psychology students a place to practice scientific observation.

Stanford, UCSC study predicts oil demand to peak around 2035

Fears of depleting the Earth’s supply of oil are unwarranted, according to new research, which describes instead a coming peak and decline in demand for oil.

Latin American and Latino Studies professor wins career enhancement fellowship

Sylvanna Falcón, assistant professor of Latin American and Latino Studies at UC Santa Cruz, has been awarded a yearlong Career Enhancement Fellowship for junior faculty administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.

Anthropology's Triloki Pandey wins excellence in teaching award

UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor Triloki Pandey has been named winner of the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award given by the American Anthropological Association and Oxford University Press.

Court's same sex marriage ruling called a sea change for gays, lesbians

The U.S. Supreme Court rulings on same sex marriage "suggest a sea change in our culture for gays and lesbians," said a UC Santa Cruz social psychologist who studies issues of sexual identity.

New 3-acre Hay Barn and 2-acre lower quarry fields added to UCSC Farm

A public tour is set for Saturday, June 29, of new fields added to the UCSC Farm. The tour, from 10 a.m. to noon, will include a visit to the soon-to-be restored historic Cowell Ranch Hay Barn.

Economist's new book reveals underpinnings of economic disasters

In a newly revised book, UC Santa Cruz economist Daniel Friedman argues that aligning morals and markets so they work together is the premier challenge of our world today.

Anthropologists argue field must play a vital role in climate change studies

Anthropologists can and must play a vital role in climate change studies, a UC Santa Cruz professor and a former UCSC doctoral student argue in an influential scholarly journal. That role has long been overlooked, they write.

Students present start-up plans at Silicon Valley showcase event

Start-up business plans developed by students were featured at an Entrepreneurship Showcase event at the UCSC Silicon Valley Center.

Gene patent decision called step forward for open research

Genetics researchers at UC Santa Cruz said the U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous ruling that human genes cannot be patented will help keep advanced genetic research from being controlled by private biotechnology companies.

Anthropology professor Anna Tsing wins $5 million Danish research award

UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor Anna Tsing is one of six international scholars to win a $5 million Niels Bohr Professorship from the Danish National Research Foundation.

Ten social science majors win undergraduate honor awards

Social Sciences Dean Sheldon Kamieniecki presented 10 students with social sciences majors with awards for their senior theses as part of his 2012-2013 undergraduate awards competition. Three of the students also won chancellor's awards.

Large-scale biodiversity is vital to maintain ecosystem health

New analysis by ecologists at UC Santa Cruz demonstrates that high levels of biological diversity are necessary to maintain ecosystem health in larger landscapes over long periods of time.

Celebrating excellence: Student Achievement Week 2013

This year's Student Achievement Week recognizes high achievement across the disciplines. The campus will host exhibits, ceremonies, performances, and other events through Friday, June 7.

New College Nine mural is a collaboration with OxfamUSA

A colorful, new mural graces the entrance to College Nine, alongside another that students painted last year bearing a message of peace.

'I recognize I can make a difference'

Student Carson Watts's experience in a Ghanaian slum confirmed his career path of sustainable development.

Popular Community Studies major reinstated at UC Santa Cruz

The popular Community Studies major, suspended in 2010, has been reinstated at UC Santa Cruz beginning fall 2013.

Memorial events commemorate the life of Professor Aaronette White

Two events commemorating the life of UC Santa Cruz psychology professor Aaronette White are planned for Friday, May 31, and June 1, 2013 on the UCSC campus.

Farm & Garden Market Cart opens at UCSC entrance Tuesday, June 4

The chance to “buy fresh, buy local” and support new organic farmers and gardeners starts again Tuesday, June 4, when organically grown berries, vegetables, and flowers go on sale at the UCSC Farm & Garden’s Market Cart.

Free monthly guided tours of the UCSC Farm begin Sunday, June 2

Free, guided tours of one of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful locations—the 30-acre organic farm at UC Santa Cruz begin Sunday, June 2 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Global Nuclear Awareness Coalition to hold first public meeting

The Global Nuclear Awareness Coalition (GNAC) will hold its first public meeting Thursday, May 23 at UC Santa Cruz.

Forum addresses academic free speech and issues of anti-Semitism

An educational forum on academic free speech is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Colleges Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room on the UC Santa Cruz campus. It is free and open to the public.

Puma capture demonstrates success of non-lethal intervention

The capture in downtown Santa Cruz and resettlement of a young male mountain lion is one of the first tests of a new state policy that calls for using non-lethal methods when mountain lions are discovered in populated areas.

Graduate Research Symposium awards recognize top presentations

Outstanding presentations at the Graduate Research Symposium were honored at the Awards Reception.

Sign-ups open for Community Supported Agriculture program

Membership signups are now open for the UCSC Farm’s 2013 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program from the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.

Psychology grad wins research award typically given to graduate students

Lauren Brande, (Porter, '11, psychology) won a best abstract award May 3 at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association in Reno.

Psychology professor Phillip Hammack wins W.T. Grant Foundation grant

Phillip Hammack, UC Santa Cruz associate professor of psychology, is one of five young professors in the U.S. selected for five-year $350,000 research grants from the William T. Grant Scholars program.

After the breakup in a digital world: Purging social media memories

The era is long gone when a romantic breakup meant ripped-up photos and burned love letters. Digital photos and emails can be deleted but what about digital records of a beloved that lurk on Facebook, tumblr, and flicker?

Three ENVS graduate students receive NSF graduate research fellowships

Three Environmental Studies doctoral students have been awarded National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships for 2013.

CASFS Apprenticeship program hosts premiere of 'Symphony of the Soil'

“Symphony of the Soil,” a feature film that depicts the complex and dynamic nature of this precious resource, will have its Santa Cruz premiere on Saturday, May 11th, 2013, at the Nickelodeon Theater.

Graduate students present research in annual symposium May 10

Graduate students from all five academic divisions at UCSC will present their research on Friday, May 10.

Alumna Dana Priest updates security report in light of Boston bombings

Washington Post reporter Dana Priest (Merrill, '81, politics) has updated a television report on the national security industrial complex in light of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Two psychology graduate students win NSF research fellowships

Two UC Santa Cruz graduate students in the developmental psychology program have been awarded prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.

10th annual César Chávez Convocation at UCSC features Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, will be the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual César Chávez Convocation at UCSC Tuesday, May 7 at the College Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Judge David Sotelo named Social Sciences distinguished alumni winner

When David Sotelo graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1983 (Merrill, politics) he was older than most undergrads, married, and the father of two small boys. Today, Sotelo is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge and winner of the 2013 Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award at UCSC.

Wilderness on the edge of town: Younger Lagoon a 'living lab' for students

Younger Lagoon Reserve is a postage-stamp-sized parcel of wilderness. Students sharpen their minds while they get their hands dirty: learning, researching, and making a difference too.

Uncommon People / Rachel Wheat and Yiwei Wang: Crowdsourcing for research

Grad students turn to a crowdfunding website to fund their bald eagle research.

Working hand in hand

Every year, hundreds of UCSC student interns and volunteers do important work in the community that surrounds them.

Puma tracking in Santa Cruz Mountains reveals impact of habitat fragmentation

In the first published results of more than three years of tracking mountain lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains, UC Santa Cruz researchers document how human development affects the predators' habits.

Gabe Zimmerman Room formally dedicated at U.S. Capitol ceremony

A conference room at the U.S. Capitol named for the late congressional staffer Gabriel Zimmerman (Stevenson, '02, sociology) was formally dedicated Tuesday (April 16) in a ceremony attended by Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker John Boehner, and other political luminaries.

Signs installed, cabin restored in Cowell Lime Works Historic District

Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District celebrated installation of six new interpretive signs Friday and phase one of the restoration of one of the remaining lime workers cabins.

Boogie-woogie sea lion goes viral

The American people are going ga-ga for Ronan the beat-keeping sea lion, who has been featured on "Weekend Edition Saturday" on National Public Radio, and as the answer to a question on the NPR news quiz show "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me."

Second Gabe Zimmerman scholarship winner is sociology major

Carson Watts, an Oakes College sociology major and politics minor, has been selected as the second winner of the Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship at UC Santa Cruz.

Gopher control workshop set for Saturday, April 6 at UCSC Farm

Learn how to get gopher problems under control at a workshop Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UC Santa Cruz Farm.

Domhoff's power structure research featured in urban affairs session

A plenary session is devoted to the groundbreaking research into urban power structures by UC Santa Cruz Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Research Professor of Sociology G. William Domhoff when the Urban Affairs Association holds its 43rd annual conference this week in San Francisco.

Sea lion defies theory and keeps the beat

Scientists trained a sea lion to bob her head in time with rhythmic sounds, the first example of beat keeping in a non-human mammal.

Scholarship program wins archaeology society's president's award

UCSC professor Diane Gifford-Gonzalez's effort to create a scholarship fund for students from underrepresented groups has won the President's Recognition Award from the Society for American Archaeology.

UCSC workshop March 30 reveals the fine points of composting

Learn what it takes to make quality compost happen at the "Compost for the Home Garden and Orchard" workshop Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alan Chadwick Garden on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Alumni Weekend: Reliving memories, making new ones

Excitement is building for UCSC's premiere alumni event, April 26-28, which is packed with reunions, celebrations, receptions, and opportunities.

Historic Hay Barn to be reinvented as environmental center

Thanks to a $5 million gift, the historic Cowell Ranch Hay Barn at UC Santa Cruz will be reinvented as the centerpiece of a revived campus entrance and new home for many of UCSC's innovative environmental sustainability programs.

Restaurant worker advocate visits Santa Cruz for reading, book signing

Saru Jayaraman, author of Behind the Kitchen Door, will speak and sign copies of her book Thursday, March 21, 7-9 p.m. at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz in an event co-sponsored by the UCSC Center for Labor Studies, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, and Friends of the UCSC Farm and Garden.

12th annual Earth Summit branches out with workshops, displays, food

The 12th annual Earth Summit at UC Santa Cruz will take place Friday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the College 9/10 Multipurpose Room. It is free and the public is invited.

UNESCO releases lecturer's book online as free download

Bill Friedland's emeriti lecture focuses on California wine industry

UC Santa Cruz Professor Emeritus of Community Studies Bill Friedland will deliver a free public lecture "Trampling Out Advantage: the Political Economy of California Wine and Grapes" Monday, March 4th at 7 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall on the UCSC campus.

Alumna killed in line of duty; info on memorial, support for families

Detective Elizabeth Butler (Kresge, '96, community studies), who was killed in the line of duty Tuesday, February 26, put her skills working with people into action on the streets of Santa Cruz. A memorial is set for March 7.

Alison Galloway wins forensic anthropology career achievement award

Alison Galloway, professor of anthropology and campus provost/executive vice chancellor at UC Santa Cruz, is winner of the highest honor offered by the Physical Anthropology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Award-winning UC Santa Cruz Model UN team to compete in San Francisco

The award-winning UC Santa Cruz Model UN team will compete against other regional college teams February 28-March 3, 2013, at the UC Berkeley Model UN Conference in San Francisco.

UCSC symposium to address issues of nutrition, health, and food policy

A symposium on nutrition, health, and, food policy is scheduled for Friday, March 8 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in 261 Social Sciences I on the UC Santa Cruz campus. The public is invited and admission is free.

Workshop offers basics of blueberry selection, planting, care Feb. 16

Liz Milazzo, field production manager at the UC Santa Cruz Farm, will lead “Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden" Saturday, February 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UCSC Farm.

Free docent training at the UCSC Farm & Garden begins March 12

A five-session docent training program begins Tuesday, March 12 at two of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful locations: the historic Alan Chadwick farm and UCSC Farm on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Students help local teens navigate the college admission process

The undergrad-led program UCAN aims to help high school students negotiate the sometimes tricky path to higher education.

Sociology alumnus named number two executive at International Crisis Group

Joost Hiltermann, who received his Ph.D. in sociology from UC Santa Cruz in 1988, has been named chief operating officer of the International Crisis Group based in Brussels.

Free screening of 'Doctors of the Dark Side' set for Jan. 30 at UCSC

A free screening of "Doctors of the Dark Side," the award-winning documentary that examines the critical role of psychologists and physicians in the torture of detainees in U.S. controlled military prisons, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 30 at the Merrill Cultural Center, on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

UCSC agroecology expert to speak on genetically engineered crops Feb. 12

UC Santa Cruz environmental studies professor Deborah K. Letourneau will speak on “Genetically Engineered Crops and the Environment: Risky Business?” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, at the Red Restaurant and Bar in downtown Santa Cruz. It is free and open to the public.

Screening of 'Harvest of Loneliness, the Bracero Program' set for January 23

The documentary film "Harvest of Loneliness, the Bracero Program" will be shown Wednesday, January 23 at 7 p.m. at the Kresge Town Hall on the UC Santa Cruz campus. It is free and open to the public.

Legal strategies differ when labor rights and immigration policy conflict

In a new book, UC Santa Cruz professor Shannon Gleeson examines the paradox of federal labor rights enforcement and immigration policy and how the conflicts are dealt with in San Jose and Houston.

Three-day workshop covers fruit tree care from planting to harvest

A 3-day workshop will give you the tools you need to successfully cultivate fruit trees on a backyard or small-orchard scale.

Popping the question is his job

In a survey of young people, researchers at UC Santa Cruz report that both women and men tend to hold traditional views when it comes to marriage proposals.

Lacey Raak appointed UCSC’s Director of Sustainability

Lacey Raak has been appointed UCSC’s Director of Sustainability.