Social Sciences Division

Washington has enacted a number of police reforms since George Floyd was murdered one year ago. Among them is a mandatory 8-hour course, broken up into sessions, for police recruits on the history of racism and policing. Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW, is mentioned.

Christopher Sebastian Parker, professor of political science, discusses what sparked the summer of social unrest.

Universal, Sony and Warner have paid out just a portion of the money they promised to give, VICE found — revealing a disconnect between how they’ve publicly characterized their donations and what’s really happening behind the scenes. Megan Ming Francis, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

One year after the killing of George Floyd and the largely peaceful protests it spawned, the BLM movement has achieved mainstream recognition in the United States and beyond, with protests last summer hitting all seven continents. But the movement now faces the same challenge many grassroots efforts have: how to move beyond the recognition toward concrete solutions. Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

This week at the UW, attend a concert with the UW Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band, the MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition, and more.

If you've ever wished you had an extra hand to accomplish a task, never fear, scientists are working on that. But a new study raises questions about how such technology could affect your brain. Dr. Eran Klein, affiliate assistant professor of philosophy at the UW, is quoted.

The Defense Innovation Unit, an organization within the U.S. Department of Defense focused on adopting commercial technology, is building an Uber-like app called “Gig Eagle” to match part-time service members possessing private sector experience with program managers. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Scott Radnitz, associate professor in the Jackson School of International Studies, discusses his new book, “Revealing Schemes: The Politics of Conspiracy in Russia and the Post-Soviet Region."

This week at the UW, listen to the 2021 Samuel and Alethea Stroum Lectures in Jewish Studies, watch Rage by B. Dance, and more.

HBO Max’s sci-fi series "Made for Love" reveals the dangers of a controversial new technology. Sara Goering, professor of philosophy at the UW, is quoted.

A young generation of Asian and Pacific Islanders is leading a new wave of activism. Connie So, teaching professor of American ethnic studies at the UW, is interviewed.

Seattle was the first city in the country to pass laws mandating premium pay and sick days for delivery-app drivers during the pandemic. But the current laws are set to expire after the pandemic ends, so Seattle leaders may soon consider making those protections permanent. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

A collection of work by Arts & Sciences faculty, students, alumni and friends related to Asian American and Pacific Islander history, heritage and culture.

Christoph Giebel, associate professor of history and of international studies at the UW, writes of a marker in Seattle's Volunteer Park, "The marker’s words grotesquely falsify a gruesome past ... To call America’s violent conquest of Asia’s first constitutional republic [the Philippines] a 'liberation of oppressed peoples' constitutes an 'alternative fact' so shameless as to render the plaque’s continued display scandalous."

Since 1994, alumni and friends in the Multicultural Alumni Partnership have worked together to promote diversity at the UW and address issues of equity and diversity on our campuses and in our community. This year’s promising scholars range from early undergraduates who are still zeroing in on a major to those pursuing graduate and professional degrees.