Social Sciences Division

"The first comprehensive federal immigration legislation in the history of the U.S., the 1924 law solidified features of the immigration system with us today: visa requirements, the Border Patrol, and the category of the 'illegal alien.' Even as the primary targets of immigration restrictionism have shifted over the century, the consequences for immigrants and their communities remain profoundly shaped by the system created in 1924," writes Devin Naar, associate professor of history and of Jewish studies at the UW.

Aboriginal artifacts in Australia that were likely used for ritual spells may be evidence of the oldest culturally transmitted ritual on record. Ben Marwick, professor of anthropology at the UW, is quoted.

"I am a qualitative sociologist who works on issues of race/racism in and through science and technology. Specifically, my work is situated within a growing new area of inquiry, the sociology of the neurosciences." Oliver Rollins, assistant professor of American ethnic studies at the UW, is featured.

U.S. President Joe Biden stumbled over his words repeatedly in his first presidential debate with former President Donald Trump leading up to the November election, and the Republican frontrunner responded to Biden’s verbal attacks with lies about his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection along with fibs about the economy. James Long, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an essential tool at Indeed, a global job-matching and hiring platform. Trey Causey (2009) works to ensure that the company's AI promotes equity and fairness. 

Tutors, laptops, printers, audiobooks — all are affected by the district ransomware attack, and could take months to return to normal. Jessica Beyer, co-leader of the Cybersecurity Initiative in the UW Jackson School of International Studies, is quoted.

"Growing numbers of reporters and editors, tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop, are exiting the profession, citing burnout as the reason for their departure," writes Matthew Powers, associate professor of communications at the UW.

The UW is delighted to announce the recipients of the 54th annual University of Washington Awards of Excellence! The awards honor outstanding alumni, faculty, staff, students and retirees who contribute to the richness and diversity of our University community.

Research that drives development and national pride will take center stage for the next five years, researchers say. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Black people in the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to have been raised in church. They're also less likely to leave Christianity after coming out. Jelani Ince, assistant professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

From "Hamburger Hill" to "The Sympathizer," veteran actor Kieu Chinh discusses how her career shaped Vietnam War memories. Linh Thủy Nguyễn, assistant professor of American ethnic studies at the UW, is quoted.

As the war in Sudan unfolded with escalating intensity, its repercussions were felt far beyond the nation’s borders, impacting lives even in distant corners of the globe. For one University of Washington (UW) Seattle graduate student, whose journey was abruptly disrupted by the eruption of conflict, the experience became a harrowing testament to the unpredictability of global events and travel. Meet Yasir Zaidan, whose pursuit of knowledge on port cities led him to Sudan.

"As a political philosopher, I am interested in how concepts like moral equivalence are used in political discussions. Those who use this concept generally do so as a way of asserting that someone is at best deceived – and, at worse, deliberately deceptive – about the moral wrongs done by one side in a conflict," writes Michael Blake, professor of philosophy and of public policy and governance at the UW.

"While charging a former president with criminal offenses was a first in the United States with Trump, in other countries ex-leaders are routinely investigated, prosecuted and even jailed," co-write the UW's political science professors James Long and Victor Menaldo.

Donald Trump was found guilty, on Thursday, of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex. The historic verdict makes him the first former president to be convicted. Randy Pepple, assistant teaching professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.