Social Sciences Division

Brian Leung, PhD student in political science, is quoted in this article discussing the future of Hong Kong's democracy movement.

The governors of Iowa and North Dakota recently announced mandates that require people to wear masks in public. Both leaders previously resisted mask rules but issued them in the past week as daily COVID-19 cases spiked in their states, overrunning hospitals and intensive care units. Christopher Adolph, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

“The Bezos Earth Fund (BEF) is giving away $791 million to support climate action. Much of this money will go to well-established NGOs ... Yet, if BEF wants to change climate action’s playbook, it needs a new theory of change that tackles the key barrier to climate action. Funding these NGOs does not achieve this objective,” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.

The 2020 census has been subject to court fights, shifting deadlines and pandemic-related process adjustments. Sara Curran, director of the UW Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, explains the developments with this year’s count.

Victoria Lawson, professor in the Department of Geography, director of the Honors Program, and adjunct professor of Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies discusses social care and racial justice.

“The Bezos Earth Fund (BEF) is giving away $791 million to support climate action. Much of this money will go to well-established NGOs ... Yet, if BEF wants to change climate action’s playbook, it needs a new theory of change that tackles the key barrier to climate action. Funding these NGOs does not achieve this objective,” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.

The UW has started offering a new STEM minor in data science, one of the first universities in the country to do so. Ben Marwick, an associate professor of archeology and director of the new data science minor, is quoted.

The Black Embodiments Studio will begin a residency at the UW's Jacob Lawrence Gallery that will continue for the next two years. Dr. Kemi Adeyemi, assistant professor of gender, women, & sexuality studies and BES founder and director, is interviewed.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ initial round of nearly $800 million in climate-focused grants and investments aims to tackle emissions from the transportation, industrial and agriculture sectors, protect forests and other ecosystems, and address environmental justice and racial equity issues. More than half of the total first round of funds is going to major advocacy groups. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

In this conversation, Associate Professor of political science and Adjunct Professor of law, societies Megan Ming Francis talks about mentorship, understanding the immense structures that shape our democracy and lives, asking important questions of our institutions and ourselves with the intention of making both better.

Some family separations are due to estrangement, not COVID. That's not necessarily a bad thing, says Communication Professor Kristina Scharp.

Drinks on tap, rock-climbing walls, gourmet cafeterias — perks are a hallmark of many desirable workplaces. But when workers are not in the office to actually enjoy them, companies are being forced to reevaluate their incentives and work culture. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

"Combating the pandemic will be President-elect Joe Biden’s top priority upon taking office. Biden will simultaneously focus on reviving the United States’ economy and restoring jobs. Prioritizing trade and restoring U.S. leadership in the Asia-Pacific region must be part of this recovery agenda," writes The Seattle Times Editorial Board. David Bachman, professor of international studies at the UW, is referenced.

“The concept of ‘pay equity’ doesn’t just demand equal pay for women doing the same work as men, in the same positions. Such efforts, while worthwhile, ignore the role of occupational segregation in keeping women’s pay down: There are some jobs done mostly by women and others that are still largely the province of men. The latter are typically better paid,” writes Anna Louie Sussman. Michael McCann, professor of political science at the UW, is referenced.

In this lecture and follow-up conversation, distinguished teaching awardee and Professor of sociology Alexes Harris shares her research into how people’s interactions with institutions — like the criminal justice system — shape the outcomes of people’s lives. She delves into how those outcomes are different based on a person’s race and ethnicity, gender, income bracket and other identities people hold. Harris also talks about being born and raised in Seattle and how she got to be able to share her research with policy makers, legislators, judges and community members so her scholarship can contribute to a more equitable criminal justice system.