Social Sciences Division

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, explains Biden's choice of John Kerry as his presidential climate envoy.

This week at the UW, attend Ladino Day 2020 and watch the Meany Center's presentation of Ragamala Dance Company.

Researchers have found that a small group of social media accounts are responsible for the spread of a disproportionate amount of the false posts about voter fraud. Ian Kennedy, a doctoral student in sociology at the UW, is quoted.

“Beyond damage repair, Biden has big plans for American energy. In my view, not all of them are realistic. Yet their actual purpose may be as starting points for negotiation,” writes Scott Montgomery, lecturer of international studies at the UW.

The country’s fishing fleet would not be able to sustain itself – or its geopolitical and surveillance role – without the hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies it receives. Tabitha Grace Mallory, affiliate professor of international studies at the UW, is quoted.

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.