Social Sciences Division

In the early days of modern computers, the Simulmatics Corporation manipulated technology to mine data, affect the news, and influence voter and consumer preferences. Sound familiar? The tech titans of today have formidable ancestors. Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, interviews Harvard University’s Jill Lepore.

Black youth are more likely to face a tough criminal justice path than white youth after being stopped by police in middle school, a new study out of University of Washington found. Annie McGlynn-Wright, who led the study while a doctoral student in sociology at the UW, is interviewed.

Local notaries, whether in trade or politics, many have strong but guarded optimism for how a Biden administration will bring stability and mutual growth back to China-U.S. relations. David Bachman, professor of international studies at the UW, is quoted.

Harlequin Productions is offering a radio theater-style “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Orson Welles, available for streaming beginning Sunday, Dec. 6. Antonio Mitchell, who is pursuing a master of fine arts in acting at the UW, is playing Jacob Marley.

A newly released study by the University of Washington shows how being stopped by police in middle school can lead to different criminal-justice paths, based on race. The study, conducted over a period of years, found that Black youth are more likely than white youth to be treated as “usual suspects” after a first encounter with police, leading to more subsequent arrests over time. Kevin Haggerty, professor of social work at the UW; Robert Crutchfield, professor emeritus of sociology at the UW; and Annie McGlynn-Wright, who led the study while a doctoral student in sociology at the UW, are mentioned.

President Trump on Wednesday released a 46-minute videotaped speech on Facebook including a series of wild claims urging people not to accept the election results. Jake Grumbach, assistant professor of political science at the UW, is referenced.

Of the 2020 election, George Washington University’s Steven Livingston and W. Lance Bennett, professor emeritus of political science at the UW, write, “Not only did Republicans hold the Senate — at least until the January runoff for both of Georgia’s Senate seats is decided — they gained seats in the House and strengthened their grip on state legislatures. It seems that rather than die, conservative political parties evolve. The question is: Evolve into what?”

Once in a decade, America comes together to count every person in every home on every block in every neighborhood, coast to coast. In theory. Politics and a pandemic have made this year’s count extra fraught, says Sara Curran, director of the UW’s Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology and professor of international studies, of sociology and of public policy and governance. [This is the second segment in the Dec. 2 episode of the “The Record.”]

Annie McGlynn-Wright, sociology PhD graduate, explains the results of a new study she worked on exploring the consequences of early interactions between police and Black youth.

UW Tacoma alum Omari Amili speaks with formerly-incarcerated UW alumni and faculty.

Lecturer of American Indian Studies Tami Hohn and her students Victor Andy and Shelby Cross discuss their experiences teaching and learning Southern Lushootseed.

Watch lectures online from the new interdisciplinary class "2020: The Course."

Retiring from the UW doesn’t end the story for faculty and staff. They are driven to serve their communities on a local or global scale.

Doctoral student in computer science and Jewish Studies Graduate Fellow Ben Lee created a powerful search tool of scanned historical newspaper pages.

A federal appointment for Gov. Inslee would set off a cascade of political moves here in his home state. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.