Department of American Ethnic Studies

Start the new year with lectures, performances, and more.

Start the new year with lectures, performances, exhibitions and more.

LaShawnDa Pittman, American ethnic studies and sociology professor, is excited to think together as the newest Hanauer appointee. Pittman's research centers socially marginalized women and those living with poor health resources/outcomes. Interrogate notions of “Western Civilization" in class and/or discuss what matters to you at an upcoming salon talk.

Ricardo Ruiz is a poet, activist, father, husband, veteran, and UW alum. His new poetry book, “We Had Our Reasons,” sheds light on the stories of immigrants and their reasoning behind the decision to migrate to the United States. Through these poems, Ruiz hopes people outside the community are able to understand why someone would sacrifice so much and give up everything that they have just to migrate to a new country.

Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Highlights of current and upcoming exhibitions:  October 27 – November 23 | Miha Sarani: Amends, Art Building The Jacob Lawrence Gallery is pleased to host Seattle artist Miha Sarani. This exhibition is a broad survey of Sarani’s work, focusing on portraiture while also...

Federalism, queer history, the impact of the Russian Revolution on Jewish communities, and the evolution of Filipinx American studies are among the subjects of recent and upcoming books by UW faculty.

Four Dean's Medalists were selected by the College of Arts & Sciences for their varied and impressive work as UW undergraduates. 

Generations of scientists have tried to identify biological predictors of violence. Professor Oliver Rollins has concerns about their research.

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month this September 15 through October 15 by exploring work by College of Arts & Sciences faculty, students and alumni.

"I was born in a small port town in Japan and moved to Eugene, Oregon, when I was 5 years old, where I lived until I graduated college. I’m half-Asian — my mom is Japanese, and my dad is white — but that was enough to be mostly treated as Asian growing up in a town that’s around 83% white and only around 4.5% Asian," writes The Seattle Times' Jade Yamazaki Stewart. Connie So, teaching professor of American ethnic studies at the UW, is referenced.

An executive producer of a Bainbridge-made documentary, Gina Corpuz, is also the daughter of an aboriginal woman who survived an Indian residential school in Canada. She made a documentary to reveal the untold stories of the Indipinos with help from the Bainbridge Island community. Rick Bonus, professor of American ethnic studies at the UW, is quoted.

University of Washington Provost Mark A. Richards today announced Dianne Harris will become dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, beginning Sept. 1.

This week, President Biden signed a law making Juneteenth a national holiday. But there are myths and omissions surrounding the telling of this day and that period in history, according to LaTaSha Levy, an assistant professor of American ethnic studies at the University of Washington, and it’s critical to understand the past and present need to fight for, and celebrate, Black freedom.

Wing Luke Museum’s “Asian American Women Rising: NOT Your Model Minority” was a masterfully crafted webinar on May 22, with the goal of inspiring viewers to participate in our democracy for the purpose of ending hate and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders\, especially women. The UW's Connie So, teaching professor of American ethnic studies, and student Tianna Andresen are quoted.

It is sometimes the first time Asian Americans experience racism: at school and, more specifically, in the school cafeteria. The experience has been dubbed the "lunchbox moment," when a child brings a lunch packed by their parents at home — a dish that may be from their cultural background. The UW's Michael Spencer, professor of social work, and Connie So, teaching professor of American ethnic studies, are interviewed.