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Social Sciences

December 19, 2019
Guthman's book named one of the best of 2019
Julie Guthman's book Wilted: Pathogens, Chemicals, and the Fragile Future of the Strawberry Industry, has been named one of the best 2019 books about the U.S. food system.
December 16, 2019
UC Santa Cruz launches new graduate program in natural language processing
Based at UCSC’s Silicon Valley Campus, the new professional master’s degree offers training in the burgeoning field of computational processing of speech and text.
December 12, 2019
Raising awareness of ‘deficit thinking’
Undergraduate researcher works to combat harmful perceptions many first-generation students experience
December 10, 2019
Women of color underrepresented as speakers at scientific conferences, study finds
Scientists from racial and ethnic minority populations are likely to have relatively fewer speaking opportunities at scientific conferences, according to the results of a new study.
December 09, 2019
Students power resurvey of UC Santa Cruz natural reserves
Student teams are conducting surveys of the birds, plants, fish, fungi, insects, vascular plants, mammals, bryophytes, and lichens at all four of the campus’s Natural Reserves.
December 02, 2019
Nine UCSC speakers join TEDx Santa Cruz extravaganza Dec. 7
Nine UCSC affiliates will join novelist Jonathan Franzen and a host of other speakers for TEDx Santa Cruz, a daylong extravaganza focused this year on the "Art of Hope," on Saturday, Dec. 7.
November 26, 2019
Coastal fog linked to high levels of mercury found in mountain lions, study finds
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have discovered elevated levels of mercury in mountain lions, the latest indication that the neurotoxin is being carried in fog, deposited on the land, and making its way up the food chain.
November 19, 2019
Rachel Carson College: Training the green generation
UC Santa Cruz’s eighth college is a haven for sustainability-minded, environmentally conscious students hoping to lead and empower others .
November 18, 2019
Santa Cruz County faces significant gap in food security, study finds
As the season of holiday feasting approaches, a new study reveals that Santa Cruz County residents who are most at risk of food insecurity may be missing an average of five meals a week.
November 18, 2019
Social Sciences recognizes outstanding research, teaching, and staff
The Division of Social Sciences presented several major awards recognizing outstanding accomplishments by faculty, staff, researchers, and emeriti faculty.
November 13, 2019
Latino studies graduate student focused on history, roots
Five years ago, Mario Alberto Gómez-Zamora worked with teen-agers to collect stories from elders in a P'urhépecha indigenous community in Patamban, Michoacán, Mexico. Today, he's a graduate student in Latin American and Latino Studies.
October 31, 2019
First generation, lasting impact
Funding from Jacques M. Littlefield Foundation is helping first-generation students succeed and generating research on practices that can support students across the country
October 31, 2019
Letourneau's datasets propel research that shows biodiversity improves crop production
When Environmental Studies Professor Deborah Letourneau was getting ready to retire, she gave several of her datasets to younger researchers so they could make use of them. And did they ever.
October 31, 2019
Public invited to view Norris Center art-science residency projects
Several examples of art-science collaborations will be on view at the Museum of Art and History on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 10-5 p.m. and at the Norris Center for Natural History on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16 from noon to 5 p.m.
October 28, 2019
Climate engineering: International meeting reveals tensions
At this point, the greatest danger of climate engineering may be how little is known about where countries stand on these potentially planet-altering technologies. Who is moving forward? Who is funding research? And who is being left out of the conversation?
October 21, 2019
Learning on the playground: How elementary school recess enhances every aspect of child development
Recess is a lot like school lunch: Some kids get lasagna with an organic green salad, some get a burrito out of a box, and some do without. Like lunch, who gets recess—and who gets good recess—is often determined by what school district a student lives in.
October 18, 2019
Whole genome sequencing could help save pumas from inbreeding
The first complete genetic sequences of individual mountain lions point the way to better conservation strategies for saving threatened populations of the wild animals.
October 08, 2019
New Human Rights Lab trains students to investigate wrongdoing
The new Human Rights Lab went live this fall with 19 students who have learned high-tech, digital-verification skills they will use to investigate alleged human rights abuses around the globe.
September 30, 2019
Campus receives $1.5 million from state for 'Basic Needs' programs
An infusion of state funds is enabling the campus to expand its "basic needs" programs, including initiatives to make free food available on campus seven days a week and to help students who need emergency housing assistance.
September 24, 2019
New website highlights UCSC's "living labs"
A new website provides easy access to programs offering opportunities for hands-on learning at UCSC.
September 24, 2019
Anthropologist Adrienne Zihlman publishes 450-page opus on ape anatomy and evolution
Anthropology Professor Emerita Adrienne Zihlman has published a 450-page volume that presents the "big picture" of what she has learned about human origins from her painstakingly thorough study of modern ape anatomy over the last four decades.
September 19, 2019
Sustainable aquaculture initiative lands $245,000 federal grant
Anne Kapuscinski, professor of environmental studies and director of the Coastal Science and Policy Program, has received a $245,000 federal grant that will support her team’s work driving efforts to make aquaculture more sustainable.
September 17, 2019
Youth activism is on the rise around the globe, and adults should pay attention, says author
Greta and Malala get the headlines, but Jessica Taft says that for every young leader pictured on a magazine cover, thousands more are working tirelessly for causes like climate justice, racial and gender equality, LGBTQ rights, and economic change.
September 05, 2019
Talking about scientific results without overstating the findings
Developmental psychologist Maureen Callanan has coauthored a new paper about researchers' use of "generic language" when they report scientific findings, a tendency that leads to bolder claims that may sacrifice precision.
September 04, 2019
Farm hosts organic ag research tour for Congressman Jimmy Panetta
It was a beautiful September morning when Congressman Jimmy Panetta visited the UCSC Farm to hear from leading researchers in the field of organic agriculture.
September 03, 2019
UCSC’s Genomics Institute settles into new Delaware Avenue headquarters
The move to 2300 Delaware Ave. coincides with the formal establishment of the Genomics Institute as an Organized Research Unit at UC Santa Cruz.
September 03, 2019
Major NSF grant supports research on soil fungi
Kai Zhu, an assistant professor of environmental studies, has received a $700,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study the biodiversity and distribution of soil fungi across North America.
August 27, 2019
Massaro introduces app to boost literacy
Dominic Massaro, a professor emeritus of psychology, has developed a new iPhone app designed to help children learn to read.
August 26, 2019
Strawberries: The tasty fruit with a tainted environmental legacy and an uncertain future
Are the glory days of California's strawberry industry gone for good? That's the conclusion of Julie Guthman, author of the new book, Wilted: Pathogens, Chemicals, and the Fragile Future of the Strawberry Industry.
August 22, 2019
CASFS embarks on yearlong effort to refresh programming
With more than 50 years of leadership in developing and creating a socially just food system, the center will chart a course for the decades ahead
August 22, 2019
Psychology Ph.D. student receives AAUW fellowship
Christine Rosales, a Ph.D. student in psychology, has been awarded a 2019-20 fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
August 22, 2019
Master gardener Orin Martin authors new book, Fruit Trees for Every Garden
The beautifully illustrated and lovingly written new book Fruit Trees for Every Garden is not your standard how-to book.
July 23, 2019
Scholars weigh in on new ideas about autism
The authors of a provocative new paper maintain that many of the behaviors common to autism—including low eye contact, repetitive movements, and the verbatim repetition of words and phrases—are misinterpreted as a lack of interest in social engagement. On the contrary, they say, many people with autism express a deep longing for social connection.
July 17, 2019
While the cat's away: Predators' fear of humans ripples through wildlife communities, emboldening rodents
A new study indicates that pumas and medium-sized carnivores lie low when they sense the presence of humans, which frees up the landscape for rodents to forage more brazenly.
July 01, 2019
UC Santa Cruz establishes interdisciplinary Southeast Asia research center
A $1 million grant from the Henry Luce Foundation will establish a new Center for Southeast Asian Coastal Interactions (SEACoast) at UC Santa Cruz that will bring together scholars from the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences to address the region's challenges.
June 25, 2019
Three UC Santa Cruz faculty honored with Dickson Emeriti Professorships
Leta Miller, professor emeritus of music, Linda Burman-Hall, research professor in cultural musicology and Diane Gifford-Gonzalez, distinguished research professor of anthropology, were each awarded Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorships in recognition of their outstanding achievements in scholarship and teaching.
June 21, 2019
Phil Hammack helps shape Exploratorium's exhibition about identity
Psychology Professor Phil Hammack was thrilled to be invited to help plan a new exhibition at the Exploratorium about identity.
June 09, 2019
Awards recognize extraordinary teachers
The annual Excellence in Teaching Awards recognized seven exceptional instructors who were selected from more than 430 nominations.
June 07, 2019
Student to pursue career helping immigrants
First-generation college student Hector Arroyo De La Paz will graduate from UC Santa Cruz next week with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies and Latin American and Latino studies. He credits his parents for making it happen.
June 07, 2019
Undergrad gets her hands dirty learning about redwoods
For Lilianne de la Espriella, doing independent, hands-on research as an undergraduate meant literally getting her hands dirty.
June 07, 2019
Juries bring transparency and accountability to trials in Argentina
A trial by one's peers is a pillar of democracy, which is why scholars and activists are celebrating Argentina's budding embrace of jury trials.
June 05, 2019
Campus prepping for commencement ceremonies
More than 5,200 UCSC students are earning undergraduate and graduate degrees for work completed during the 2018–19 academic year. Nearly 2,700 undergraduates have applied to participate in college commencement ceremonies.
June 03, 2019
Social Sciences recognizes students for excellence in scholarship
Students, faculty, staff, and donors of the Division of Social Sciences gathered Friday, May 31, to celebrate excellence in student scholarship and creativity.
May 30, 2019
Alumni Excursion: Sea change, up close and personal
A curated trip called "The Effects of Climate Change on Marine Life" offered attendees a detailed look into how UC Santa Cruz researchers are contributing to the discussion of climate change and its direct impact on marine ecosystems.
May 28, 2019
Sociology PhD candidate named UC Free Speech Fellow
Saugher Nojan, a PhD candidate in sociology, has been selected as a 2019-20 fellow of the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement.
May 13, 2019
UC Cooperative Extension hires first organic specialist
For the first time, the University of California has hired a Cooperative Extension specialist dedicated to organic agriculture: Joji Muramoto, a longtime research associate with the University of California Santa Cruz, will coordinate a statewide program focused on the organic production of strawberries and vegetables.
May 13, 2019
NSF grant supports training of math and science teachers at UC Santa Cruz
The $1.45 million grant continues NSF support for UCSC's Cal Teach program, funding an integrated pathway to recruit and train new teachers for the Central Coast region.
May 13, 2019
Addressing student hunger boosts academic success, too
A new study suggests that enrolling students in CalFresh—the state's food assistance program for low-income residents—not only addresses student hunger but also boosts the retention rate of participating undergraduates.
May 13, 2019
Video highlights cultural differences in collaboration
A video by Distinguished Professor of Psychology Barbara Rogoff is featured in the "2019 STEM for All Video Showcase," a competition hosted by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
May 10, 2019
First Faculty Ethics Bowl at UC Santa Cruz to focus on the future
What role should thinking about the far future—1,000 years ahead and beyond—play in research on campus? That’s the key question that will be discussed at "Ethics and the Far Future"--the first UC Santa Cruz Faculty Ethics Bowl.
May 09, 2019
Anne Kapuscinski receives 2019 Ocean Award for innovation
Anne Kapuscinski, professor of environmental studies and director of the Coastal Science and Policy Program, has received a 2019 Ocean Award for innovation from Boat International magazine and the Blue Marine Foundation.
May 07, 2019
Engage with "alternative Nobel" laureates this spring and summer
UC Santa Cruz is hosting a week-long summer institute with Right Livelihood Award laureate Nicanor Perlas, who received the "alternative Nobel" in 2003 for his work opposing corporate globalization.
May 03, 2019
The healing power of yoga
Powerful Netflix documentary 'I Am Maris' explores student Maris Degener’s fall into anorexia, her discovery of yoga as a healing tool, and her eventual recovery.
May 03, 2019
Jenny Reardon participates in Vatican workshop on personalized medicine
Sociology Professor Jenny Reardon, a leading voice in the field of genomics, was one of 15 participants invited to attend a workshop on personalized medicine hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
April 29, 2019
Regina Langhout honored for advocacy on behalf of those at risk of deportation
Regina Langhout, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is being recognized for her leadership in community psychology on behalf of people at risk of deportation.
April 29, 2019
Explore the "superbloom" in Santa Cruz County
A new Field Guide to Plants of UC Santa Cruz makes exploring the landscapes of the campus—and the county—fun and rewarding.
April 23, 2019
In Memoriam: Sociology Professor Ben Crow dies at 71
Sociology Professor Ben Crow died Tuesday, April 9, following a serious illness.
April 18, 2019
From scholarship to achievement, five grads make their mark
The five recipients of the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Student Alumni Award exemplify the diverse ways in which the former graduate students have translated their scholarship into an appreciable impact in various fields.
April 17, 2019
Entrepreneurs emerge as a force in Europe's refugee emergency
Camilla Hawthorne, assistant professor of sociology, says economic stagnation and a resurgence of racist nationalism are shaping conversations about what it means to be Italian in the 21st century.
April 16, 2019
UC Santa Cruz researchers win four CITRIS seed funding awards
UC Santa Cruz researchers are principal investigators of four collaborative teams chosen for funding by the the signature seed funding program of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute.
April 08, 2019
Psychology Professor Margarita Azmitia wins mentor award
Psychology Professor Margarita Azmitia has received a mentorship award from the Spencer Foundation.
April 02, 2019
Carl Walsh appointed honorary adviser to Bank of Japan’s Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies
UCSC Distinguished Professor of Economics Carl Walsh has been appointed to serve as an honorary adviser to the Bank of Japan’s Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies.
March 28, 2019
College Ten class connects students with Soledad Prison inmates
A first-ever class called "Transcommunal Cooperation and Peacemaking" brought together 14 undergraduates and 28 men incarcerated at the Soledad Correctional Training Facility for an extraordinary 10 weeks of learning and discovery.
March 23, 2019
Professor Emeritus Pavel Machotka dies at 82
Pavel Machotka, professor emeritus of psychology, died March 18 at the age of 82.
March 22, 2019
Teens who seek solitude may know what's best for them, research suggests
Teens who choose to spend time alone may know what's best for them, according to new research that suggests solitude isn't a red flag for isolation or depression.
March 18, 2019
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki and Google exec Dennis Troper share tips and tales
During a campus visit on Saturday, tech titan Susan Wojcicki urged college students to pursue careers of meaning and impact in fields that are growing—and to be flexible and humble as they begin their work lives.
March 14, 2019
Sixth annual Climate Conference links science and justice
For the first time, the annual UC Santa Cruz Climate Conference will bring together prominent ocean scientists and leading social-justice advocates to discuss the environmental and equity dimensions of the crisis.
March 11, 2019
Graduate student joins White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Marnie Riddle, a Ph.D. candidate in environmental studies, will spend one year in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as a John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow.
March 10, 2019
Leading the charge for change
Alumna Amita Kuttner, a current graduate student in the Physics Department, is running as a Green Party candidate for a seat in Canada’s House of Commons in order to make policy around climate change—a quest sparked by a devastating loss
March 05, 2019
Federal funds invested in research infrastructure
UC Santa Cruz will invest nearly $6 million in its research tools this academic year, thanks to awards from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes for Health.
February 19, 2019
Blum Scholars present preliminary results of community-based research
Four graduate students discussed their research on jail health care, Latina resistance, Central Valley youth, and feminism in the farmlands.
February 14, 2019
Marin County: Safe harbor for Native residents during the Mission era and into the 20th century
Contrary to the dominant narrative of cultural extinction, indigenous residents of Marin County survived colonization, preserving and passing on their traditions and cultural practices, says anthropologist Tsim Schneider.
February 05, 2019
Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen receives Foundation Medal
UC Santa Cruz presented Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen with the Foundation Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the campus.
January 31, 2019
Mean streets: Self-driving cars will "cruise" to avoid paying to park
If you think traffic in city centers is bad now, just wait until self-driving cars emerge on the scene, cruising around to avoid paying hefty downtown parking fees.
January 23, 2019
Gov. Newsom appoints UCSC alumna Kris Perry to key post
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed UC Santa Cruz alumna Kris Perry, a nationally recognized advocate for children, to a key post in his new administration.
January 15, 2019
Seed-funding innovation
The UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board of Trustees seeks interesting new projects to fund.
January 14, 2019
Janet Yellen: Honoring a living legend
Janet Yellen, widely regarded as one of the most successful Federal Reserve chairs in history, will receive the UC Santa Cruz Foundation Medal at a ceremony in Menlo Park next month.
January 02, 2019
NSF funds innovative stable isotope equipment at UC Santa Cruz
The new equipment will support research across a wide range of disciplines, ranging from oceanography and earth science, paleontology, anthropology, ecology and fundamental biochemical cycle research.