George Lovell Named Divisional Dean for the Social Sciences at the UW

September 2017 Seattle— Robert Stacey, Dean of the University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences, announced that George Lovell, formerly chair of the UW Department of Political Science, will be the next Divisional Dean for the Social Sciences.

 “I am delighted that George has agreed to become a Divisional Dean in the College,” said Dean Stacey. “Now more than ever, the social sciences play a critical role in shaping our students’ future and society at large for the better. Our 13 departments and 28 centers and degree programs deepen our collective understanding of human societies and work to create a more just world. George’s important contributions to research and teaching with real-world impact make him an ideal leader for the next phase of our division’s journey.”

Lovell is a specialist in American Politics, Judicial Politics, American Constitutional Development, and Labor Studies. Much of his published research has focused on how American law influences the way people respond to injustice and organize for political power. He has explored these questions in a range of contexts including early 20^th Century worker organizing, rights related protests during Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency, and immigrant political activism in the Pacific Northwest. He is the author of This is Not Civil Rights: Discovering Rights Talks in 1939 America and Legislative Deferrals as well as numerous articles in scholarly journals.

Lovell is a Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of Law, Societies, and Justice. He also served as the Harry Bridges Endowed Chair and directed the Bridge Center for Labor Studies from 2012-2014. Building upon this legacy of leadership, he was named Department Chair of the Political Science Department in 2014, a position he held until his most recent appointment as Divisional Dean for the Social Sciences in July of 2017.

“I look forward to promoting our departments’ inspiring conviction that a deep understanding of human social life is essential to promoting social justice in the 21^st century,” said Lovell.  “Our society needs graduates prepared to address today’s problems and pressing issues with creativity, intellectual rigor, and an awareness of multiple perspectives. I’m honored to support the social science division in this great cause.”

Lovell earned his Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Michigan in 1997 and has taught at the University of Washington since 2001. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at Tufts University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1987. He also received a Masters of Arts in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989. He previously taught at the University of Maryland and College of William and Mary.

About The College

The College of Arts & Sciences, founded more than 150 years ago, provides an education of tremendous breadth and depth to more than 21,000 students while advancing research and scholarship in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.  The College has more than two dozen interdisciplinary centers and ties to many other centers, enabling scholars in diverse fields to collaborate on complex research questions in the humanities, demography, labor studies, law, astrobiology, and other areas.

The College faculty generate about $107 million in research funds annually, through public and private grants.  The College also serves the community through the more than 280 performances, 60 exhibits and 100 public programs annually offered through the Henry Art Gallery, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and Meany Center for the Performing Arts.

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