Social Sciences Division

After President Donald Trump canceled a report on the state of nature in the United States, the scientists working on it many from the Seattle area say theyll continue their work and build on it. Phil Levin, professor of practice in environmental and forest sciences at the UW; Dr. Howard Frumkin, professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW; Devon Pena, professor of anthropology at the UW and Josh Lawler, professor of environmental and forest sciences at the UW, are quoted.

People are increasingly falling for their favorite chatbots, spending hours each day building relationships with their artificial lovers. Chatbot site Janitor AI told Semafor that users have started 2.1 million conversations with its Valentines Day bots since they went live on Tuesday, representing about a quarter of all interactions on the site and breaking the companys all-time daily user record. Pepper Schwartz, professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

For Valentine's Day, UW News asked 12 University of Washington researchers to share their love stories: What made them decide to pursue their career paths?

"In my research on marketing campaigns aimed at Black women, I've examined how the struggle for consumer citizenship complicated the dynamic between Black entrepreneurs and consumers," writes Timeka Tounsel, assistant professor of Black studies in communication at the UW.

"In my research on marketing campaigns aimed at Black women, Ive examined how the struggle for consumer citizenship complicated the dynamic between Black entrepreneurs and consumers. On the one hand, businesses have long leveraged Black ownership as a unique selling proposition in and of itself, urging shoppers to view Black brand loyalty as a path to collective racial progress," writes Timeka Tounsel, assistant professor of Black studies in communication at the UW.

"At first glance, reducing model-training expenses in this way might seem to undermine the trillion-dollar 'AI arms race' involving data centers, semiconductors and cloud infrastructure. But as history shows, cheaper technology often fuels greater usage," writes Victor Menaldo, professor of political science at the UW.

"At first glance, reducing model-training expenses in this way might seem to undermine the trillion-dollar 'AI arms race' involving data centers, semiconductors and cloud infrastructure. But as history shows, cheaper technology often fuels greater usage," writes Victor Menaldo, professor of political science at the UW.

"When the high and mighty of Silicon Valley assumed their privileged perch at the swearing-in of President Trump, it was an ostentatious show of wealth and power unlike any before," writes columnist Mark Barabak. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

"When the high and mighty of Silicon Valley assumed their privileged perch at the swearing-in of President Trump, it was an ostentatious show of wealth and power unlike any before," writes columnist Mark Barabak. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

A combination of enduring holiday stress and seeking a New Years change drives interest in information about ending marriages. Julie Brines, associate professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

A combination of enduring holiday stress and seeking a New Years change drives interest in information about ending marriages. Julie Brines, associate professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

Seattle Judge John Coughenhour placed a temporary restraining order on President Donald Trump’s executive order, which would effectively end birthright citizenship on Jan. 23. Sophia Jordán Wallace, a UW professor of political science, and Scott Lemieux, a UW professor of political science, are quoted.

Exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is associated with depression in women, possibly via reproductive health, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in Menopause. Anwesha Pan, a doctoral student of anthropology at the UW, is mentioned.

The UW department of history presented its 50th anniversary History Lecture Series on Jan. 22, hosted by UW associate professor Joel Walker. The lecture, part of the topic “River Histories,” explained four aspects of the Nile River and its connections to ancient Egypt.  

Bad Bunny's new album, "Debir Tirar Mas Fotos," dropped earlier this month. It features traditional folk music from Puerto Rico, where the artist is from. The lyrics touch on the gentrification of Puerto Rico and draw a stark parallel with Hawaii. Ileana Rodriguez-Silva, associate professor of history at the UW, is quoted.