Social Sciences

  • La porcícola que se come los bosques en el Meta

    La porcícola que se come los bosques en el Meta

    In the gallery forests of the Orinoquía, wetlands that do not dry out “have enormous potential to help or hinder global efforts to address climate change,” says Scott Winton, a professor at UC Santa Cruz, who discovered that “the average carbon density per area in peatlands is four to ten times greater than in the…

  • 10 Iconic Food Writers Every Foodie Should Know

    10 Iconic Food Writers Every Foodie Should Know

    Distinguished Professor Emerita of Social Sciences Julie Guthman was recognized among the top food writers for her “balanced and critical exploration of the food systems in modern-day America.”

  • Nobel nod to innovation drivers

    Nobel nod to innovation drivers

    Distinguished Professor of Economics Nirvikar Singh writes that this year’s Nobel Prize in economics provides a reminder of the importance of innovation for material progress and that of openness and competition for innovation.

  • H-2A Visas Are Not The Solution to Trump’s Mass Deportation of Farmworkers

    H-2A Visas Are Not The Solution to Trump’s Mass Deportation of Farmworkers

    Rosa Maria Navarro, a Ph.D. candidate in sociology, wrote an opinion article for Time Magazine about farm labor issues and U.S. immigration policy.

  • What Santa Cruz voters should know about Measures B and C

    What Santa Cruz voters should know about Measures B and C

    Steve McKay, a UC Santa Cruz sociology professor who has researched the city’s housing affordability problem, believes Measure C would help address this issue—in part, by signaling to the state that Santa Cruz is taking real steps to solve its housing crisis.

  • Reddit’s Former CEO Wants You to Buy a Subscription for Trees

    Reddit’s Former CEO Wants You to Buy a Subscription for Trees

    Karen Holl, a professor of environmental studies at the University of California at Santa Cruz, says those looking to purchase a tree subscription should be asking for data and, critically, how many seedlings make it to maturity. Additional coverage in the Los Angeles Times.

  • Do Nations With the Most Birds Attract the Most Bird Tourists?

    Do Nations With the Most Birds Attract the Most Bird Tourists?

    Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela, who is an assistant professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, wanted to understand what drives bird-loving tourists to bring their binoculars—and their wallets—to particular countries and how to encourage more of that. 

  • Tracey Weiss, Our Ocean Backyard | NEXTies: Earth & Sea celebrates Santa Cruz changemakers

    Tracey Weiss, Our Ocean Backyard | NEXTies: Earth & Sea celebrates Santa Cruz changemakers

    Professor Andrew Fisher won the “Brainwave Award” for his groundbreaking hydrological research on urban flooding, saltwater intrusion and freshwater supply in the Pajaro River Valley. Darryl Wong and Gage Dayton of the Center for Agroecology won the “Big Idea Award” for their work on UC Santa Cruz’s recent land acquisition that strengthens conservation, sustainable agriculture…

  • Recess Can Boost Student Learning. 9 Ways to Make It Matter

    Recess Can Boost Student Learning. 9 Ways to Make It Matter

    As Rebecca London, a community-engagement researcher and professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, points out, “You can’t just throw 400 kids out on a play yard for 20 minutes with a couple of balls and expect it to go well.”

  • The national housing crisis is reviving the debate over rent control

    The national housing crisis is reviving the debate over rent control

    Efforts to control rental increases have led to unintended yet serious consequences, observers say. Gonzalo Respighi Grasso, a doctoral candidate in economics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has made rent control the focus of his research.

  • California Launches First Solar-Covered Canal

    California Launches First Solar-Covered Canal

    The decision to cover canals with solar panels was influenced by a 2021 study from the University of California, Santa Cruz. The study suggested that shading California’s canals could save 63.5 billion gallons of water annually, enough to meet the residential water needs of over two million people. 

  • India in the cross hairs

    India in the cross hairs

    In an opinion article, Distinguished Professor of Economics Nirvikar Singh argues that India should view the latest U.S. move on H-1B visas as a wake-up call to work on becoming a global skilling hub.

Last modified: Nov 07, 2025