Social Sciences Division

Steve Herbert, the Mark Torrance Professor in Law Societies & Justice, recorded a riveting podcast about the Oregon State Penitentiary and the inmates housed there.

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, explains recent protests by Indian farmers.

“India has enacted new laws that lift restrictions on where and to whom farmers can sell their crops. Why then are Indian farmers protesting instead of celebrating their new economic freedom?” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.

Daniel Kuo-Ching Chen, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, signed a memorandum of understanding of cooperation with UW President Ana Mari Cauce on Dec. 8. Based on the memorandum, the Taiwan government provided $1.8 million for the UW to strengthen its Taiwan studies program in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and launch a Taiwan arts and culture program.

UW researchers found a run-in with police is much more devastating for Black children than it is for white kids. Annie McGlynn-Wright, who did the research while pursuing her doctorate in sociology at the UW, is interviewed.

Some hope is on the horizon this week with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of course, it’s not a silver bullet in this pandemic. Certain groups of people remain especially vulnerable. They include detainees at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma. A report by the UW Center for Human Rights is mentioned.

Politicians have long used earmarks for police budgets as a way to make cannabis legalization more digestible to opponents. New Jersey's attempt to legalize in 2020 shows that is no longer working. Michele Cadigan, a doctoral student in sociology at the UW, is quoted.

“[MacKenzie] Scott and [Jeff] Bezos are not impulsive philanthropists. Their advisors have pored over lots of data to identify the beneficiaries. Yet, they fund different causes and organizations. Why so and what does this reveal about their priorities?” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, discusses the differences between MacKenzie Scott's and Jeff Bezos' philanthropic efforts.

Michele Cadigan, sociology graduate student, explains how to create a legal market for cannabis without increasing police budgets.

Oregon has decriminalized the possession of small amounts of any drug, and there’s a push in Washington to do the same. But what effect will that really have on arrests, prosecution and the War on Drugs? Temper your expectations, says Katherine Beckett, professor of sociology and of law, societies and justice at the UW. [This is the third segment of the Dec. 15 episode of “The Record.”]

Katherine Beckett, Professor of sociology and law, societies and justice, explains Oregon's decriminalization of drugs, and whether Washington will be next.

Washington state’s Electoral College gave President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris their votes in Olympia today. James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed.

Here's a quick look at some giftworthy books and music created by UW faculty and staff in 2020, and a reminder of some recent favorites.

With one of the biggest gift-giving seasons upon us, here’s a quick look at some gift-worthy books and music created by University of Washington faculty and staff, and a reminder of some recent favorites.