Social Sciences Division

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.

Family estrangement has long been a taboo topic. But that may be changing, as we see more and more research examining why and how estrangement happens. Kristina Scharp, assistant professor of communication at the UW, is interviewed. [This was broadcast on public radio stations nationwide.]

“President-elect Biden’s July 2020 climate plan outlined a zero emission pledge. States, such as California and Washington, and companies, such as Microsoft and Google, have also announced net-zero emission pledges. But there is a catch,” write the UW’s Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs; Aseem Prakash, professor of political science; and Inhwan Ko, a doctoral student in political science.

At its final colloquium, the Henry Art Gallery invites academics from the UW and other institutions "to think beyond species."

Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, comments on the antitrust lawsuits against Facebook, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, comments on Amazon's Climate Pledge.

As chief historian for the National Park Service, Turkiya Lowe (PhD, History, 2010) helps bring history to life.