Social Sciences Division

Techniques such as “location spoofing” and deepfake geography present significant risks for our increasingly connected society. Because of this, a team of researchers at University of Washington are working to identify ways to detect these fakes, as well as proposing the creation of a geographic fact-checking system. Bo Zhao, assistant professor of geography at the UW, is quoted.

Under a bill headed to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk, all agricultural workers will start receiving overtime pay in 2022 and have a 40-hour work week by early 2024. It is part of a wave of momentum for legislation to extend overtime pay to farmworkers. Carlos Gil, professor emeritus of history at the UW, is quoted.

The concept of taking back Native land isn’t new. But it encapsulates more than most realize. Charlotte Coté, associate professor of American Indian studies, is quoted.

While the concept of “deepfakes,” or AI-generated synthetic imagery, has been decried primarily in connection with involuntary depictions of people, the technology is dangerous (and interesting) in other ways as well. For instance, researchers have shown that it can be used to manipulate satellite imagery to produce real-looking — but totally fake — overhead maps of cities. Bo Zhao, assistant professor of geography at the UW, is quoted.

History Professor Margaret O’Mara explains how she plans on incorporating teaching techniques she developed during the pandemic into future curriculum.

Bo Zhao, assistant professor of geography, has authored a new study on deepfake geography.

This week at the UW, attend a talk on Gender in the E.U, visit the Henry Art Gallery, and more.

Many people across the country felt relief Tuesday as former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges brought against him for the murder of George Floyd. But many also felt conflicted about what the moment meant to them. Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed.

One day after a Minneapolis police officer was convicted in the death of George Floyd, Seattle’s Community Police Commission has launched a new website that aims to keep the public informed about efforts to reform the Seattle Police Department. Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW, is interviewed.

Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, talks about whether this historical moment will result in progress when it comes to racial justice.

The American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, has a new group called the Functional Federalism Working Group. Its name suggests that the group is meant to redress an imbalance of power between Biden’s presidency and state governments, a majority of which are dominated by conservatives. Jake Grumbach, assistant professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

The Jackson School of International Studies is collaborating with the US Army War College on an initiative including workshops, courses, and more.

Over 700 people have died during pro-democracy protests following a coup in Myanmar on February 1st. Mary Callahan, associate professor of international studies at the UW, is interviewed.

Moon-Ho Jung, a professor in the department of history, discusses anti-Asian racism.

James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed about President Biden's announcement to pull troops out of Afghanistan.