Politics and Government

Documents recently obtained through the Freedom of Information Act paint a troubling picture of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Tacoma, two years after a Russian asylum seeker died in ICE custody. A report by the UW Center for Human Rights is referenced.

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.

Dr. Angelina Godoy, director of the Center for Human Rights, discusses the Northwest Detention Center's practice of solitary confinement.

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.

Angelina Godoy, director for UW’s Center for Human Rights, explains the center's new report on solitary confinement practices at Tacoma's Northwest Detention Center.

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, explains Biden's choice of John Kerry as his presidential climate envoy.

Researchers have found that a small group of social media accounts are responsible for the spread of a disproportionate amount of the false posts about voter fraud. Ian Kennedy, a doctoral student in sociology at the UW, is quoted.

“Beyond damage repair, Biden has big plans for American energy. In my view, not all of them are realistic. Yet their actual purpose may be as starting points for negotiation,” writes Scott Montgomery, lecturer of international studies at the UW.

The country’s fishing fleet would not be able to sustain itself – or its geopolitical and surveillance role – without the hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies it receives. Tabitha Grace Mallory, affiliate professor of international studies at the UW, is quoted.

Brian Leung, PhD student in political science, is quoted in this article discussing the future of Hong Kong's democracy movement.

The governors of Iowa and North Dakota recently announced mandates that require people to wear masks in public. Both leaders previously resisted mask rules but issued them in the past week as daily COVID-19 cases spiked in their states, overrunning hospitals and intensive care units. Christopher Adolph, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.