Social Sciences Division

There’s been a massive surge of voting, with less than 48 hours until Election Day. Right now, 72% percent of King County ballots are already in. James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Incumbent Democrat Kim Schrier is being challenged by Republican Jesse Jensen to represent the 8th Congressional District, east of Seattle. Unlike a lot of American politics in 2020, one big theme in the race is bipartisanship. But what does bipartisanship mean in a hyper-partisan age? Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.

When people ask Lin Hongxuan why he studies the history of a community he’s not part of, his answer can be very simple: the history hasn’t been told. But there’s a more complicated answer, too. It’s dangerous for people within this particular community to tell their history.

With Election Day less than a week away, the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter on Tuesday appeared virtually before a Senate panel where lawmakers grilled them over their influence in the election and a once-obscure law that has drawn criticism from Republicans and Democrats. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Everyone seems divided on issues like race, identity, economics, law and order, and public health, and it feels like we’re fractured beyond repair. But take heed, worried nation, we’ve been here before. Sort of. Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

A new UW study finds that denser neighborhoods reach peak infection rate earlier while nearby neighborhoods won’t reach their peak infection until weeks or even years later. Zack Almquist, assistant professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

See all that's going on during UW Global Month, take part in conversations surrounding the aftermath of the 2020 election, and more.

“2020: The Course” gives students an opportunity to hear from UW professors and special guests who will discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, race in the United States, the state of the environment, the economic recession, civic participation, citizenship and this election season and outcomes.

While the first known case of COVID-19 was located in Snohomish County back in January, the infection has not spread through the Emerald City’s neighborhoods evenly, according to new research from the University of Washington. Zack Almquist, assistant professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

It’s not even Election Day, but Washington voters want their voices heard. On Thursday, the Washington Secretary of State’s office announced that 60.8% of ballots have been received. James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Even as residents of Earth grapple with a global pandemic, our work in space continues. At the UW, the Space Policy and Research Center — SPARC for short — brings together researchers, policymakers and industry professionals each year to discuss the challenges of human presence and endeavors in space.

A research team led by UC Irvine and the University of Washington has created a new model of coronavirus diffusion through a community. 

Much like what’s happening today, the 2004 Washington gubernatorial race was littered with allegations of fraud, protests, court cases and questions raised about mail-in ballots. Election day was on Nov. 2, 2004. The race wouldn’t truly be over until June 7, after a Chelan County Superior Court judge ruled in Christine Gregoire’s favor for the position. Mark Smith, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Researchers have discovered fossils of a tiny burrowing reptile among a vast expanse of petrified wood in eastern Arizona. The fossils were discovered by a team of researchers from the Petrified Forest National Park, Virginia Tech, the University of Washington, Arizona State University, Idaho State University and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

It’s the most expensive race in Washington’s 2020 election. In Washington’s 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington, Republican incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler is fighting for a sixth term against second-time Democrat challenger Carolyn Long. Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, are interviewed.