Department of Sociology

Online charity drives help some in need, but don’t expect them to fill the gaps in the social safety net. Mark Igra, a graduate student in sociology at the UW, and Nora Kenworthy, an associate professor of nursing and health studies at UW Bothell, are quoted.

During the first several months of the pandemic — when communities locked down, jobs were lost, PPE was scarce and store shelves were cleared — thousands of people turned to online crowdfunding to meet their needs. But a new University of Washington analysis of requests and donations to the popular crowdfunding site GoFundMe, along with Census data, shows stark inequities in where the money went and how much was donated.

A new UW study led by Mark Igra, a graduate student in sociology, highights inequities in GoFundMe donations.

The 2021 Husky 100, a group of 100 students making the most of their time at the UW, have been announced.

Washington has enacted a number of police reforms since George Floyd was murdered one year ago. Among them is a mandatory 8-hour course, broken up into sessions, for police recruits on the history of racism and policing. Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW, is mentioned.

This week at the UW, attend a Sports & Civil Rights History Panel, Drive-In at On the Boards, and more.

One day after a Minneapolis police officer was convicted in the death of George Floyd, Seattle’s Community Police Commission has launched a new website that aims to keep the public informed about efforts to reform the Seattle Police Department. Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW, is interviewed.

"The problem with pretext traffic stops is that when police use their discretion to decide who to pull over, they disproportionately pull over Black drivers more than white drivers, particularly within predominantly Black communities. As a result, Black drivers are searched 1.5 to 2 times as often as white drivers. The practice of pretext traffic stops allows police to surveil communities of color, over-patrol them, and pull people over," writes Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW.

In the wake of a fatal shooting in Minneapolis as former police officer Derek Chauvin stands trial for George Floyd's death, Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW, comments on the two events.

What does the state of Washington owe people who were convicted under a drug possession law that's been overturned? Alexes Harris, UW professor of sociology, is interviewed.

Alexes Harris, Presidential Term Professor and Professor of Sociology, writes about the possibility of repaying people with now-voided drug convictions.

Professor of sociology Katherine Beckett is mentioned in this article about Washington's punitive approach to criminal justice.

Over 100 UW graduate and professional programs have been ranked by U.S. News & World Report to be among the top 35 in the nation.

Before March 2020, home was separate from work, school and day care. Now all these things are centered at home. Parents are adjusting to new roles, routines and relationships, and beginning to wonder if their old ones will ever return. The UW’s Julie Brines, associate professor of sociology, and Pepper Schwartz, professor of sociology, are quoted.

While there may be nothing better than cuddling with your pet, should you sleep with your dog in the bed? Pepper Schwartz, professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.