UC Santa Cruz

Making time for small talk allows for "reciprocity in conversation" and is associated with higher levels of enjoyment when working on a task.

Small talk. Big impact.

A new study by UC Santa Cruz psychology researchers shows that people take corrective action to ensure a two-way flow of conversation when situational factors—like defined roles for working together on a task—create an imbalance in how each person is able to contribute.

Faculty Insight

At Big Basin, which history do we want to remember?

At Big Basin, which history do we want to remember?

Professor Emerita Dana Frank cites 150 years of imperialism and racism that were projected onto Big Basin State Park's now-charred redwoods.

From our newscenter

Quantum dots visualized under the microscope

Quantum dots visualized under the microscope

UC Santa Cruz researchers achieved the first direct visualization of quantum dots in bilayer graphene, revealing the shape of the quantum wave function.

Two UCSC professors elected 2020 AAAS Fellows

Two UCSC professors elected 2020 AAAS Fellows

Linguist Matthew Wagers and microbiologist Fitnat Yildiz are new fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

An unflinching look at America’s tragic past

An unflinching look at America’s tragic past

Ta-Nehisi Coates drew an audience of 1,200 for an online discussion about his new novel, the legacy of slavery, and the aftermath of the presidential election.

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