Social Sciences
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Institute for Social Transformation awarded $700k grant to support inclusive economic development throughout Central California
The James Irvine Foundation has awarded the institute a two-year community-level learning partner grant as part of its Priority Communities initiatives, which seeks to strengthen regional economies by empowering low-wage workers, families, and organizations to drive economic change.
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Scheduling smarter: Combining technology and policy for more pleasant, equitable commuting
As housing costs push workers farther from their jobs, UCSC researchers are developing smart scheduling technology to ease commutes and reduce traffic in Santa Cruz. By combining real-time data, public policy, and community input, the project aims to create a more equitable and sustainable public transportation system.
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Get to know our researchers
Meet some of the passionate people leading our impact and innovation. Public support and federal funding make this work possible.
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Fall 2025 Emeriti Lecture: “Kicking the Prow: Reflections on a Life in Conversation with Past and Present People and Other Creatures”
Featuring UCSC Professor Emerita Diane Gifford-Gonzalez
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Breaking barriers and guiding others
As an outreach specialist with UC Santa Cruz’s Underground Scholars Program, Sammy Chavez (Rachel Carson ’25, Latin American and Latino studies and sociology) supports students navigating complex challenges in higher education. While completing his own degree, he was recognized with the Silver Slug Scholarship as a staff member pursuing his studies.
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Rooted in education, expanding opportunity
Inspired by a shared love of learning and a family of educators, alumnus Roger Koopmann (Stevenson ’80, economics) and his late husband, Tom Bullen (Ph.D. ’86, Earth sciences), established scholarships that give UC Santa Cruz students the chance to pursue research and study abroad experiences.
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Lessons from a historic quest to heal spider bites are helping to fight neglected tropical diseases today
Associate Professor Lily Balloffet’s latest research traces successful early efforts to produce new antivenoms in Latin America and explores implications for modern public health issues, like snakebite and Chagas disease
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Two UC Santa Cruz Education Ph.D. candidates receive 2025 National Academy of Education fellowships
Micah Card and Emanuel Suarez Jimenez were awarded the 2025 Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to study crucial emerging issues in education.
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NSF grant explores impact of embedding ethics into genomics, neuroscience, and AI
Professor Jenny Reardon will study how scientists working on high stakes emerging technologies are partnering with ethicists and social scientists to consider societal implications.
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UC Santa Cruz helps feed America
For more than 50 years, UC Santa Cruz has been a national leader in supporting farmers and shaping food systems. Stand with us to defend this work.
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Life Beyond the Redwoods: Tanner Rowland at the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Tanner Rowland (Cowell ’24, politics) works as a congressional aide in the U.S. House of Representatives under the Office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta.
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Life Beyond the Redwoods: Ryan Haraden at Georgetown University Law Center
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ryan Haraden (Stevenson ’24, intensive psychology) is a J.D. Candidate at Georgetown University Law Center.