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Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology

Coefficient Giving: Funding for Programs and Events on Global Catastrophic Risk, Effective Altruism, and Other Topics (Rolling)

This is a wide-ranging call for applications, seeking to fund programs and events in a variety of areas of interest to Coefficient Giving — including effective altruism, global catastrophic risks, biosecurity, AI for epistemics, forecasting, and other areas. “Programs and events” include scholarship or fellowship programs, internships, residencies, visitor programs, courses, seminars, conferences, workshops, retreats, etc., including both in-person and online activities. Coefficient Giving is open to funding programs or events aimed at individuals at any career stage, and with a wide range of potential purposes, including teaching new skills, providing new career opportunities, offering mentorship, or facilitating networking. Applications are open until further notice and will be assessed on a rolling basis. In general, if the topic of your program or event falls within one of our GCR focus areas, or if it’s similar to work we’ve funded in the past in those areas, it may be a good fit for this program. If you’re unsure about whether to submit your application, we’d encourage you to err on the side of doing so.

Basu Analyzes Trends in Utilization and Costs Following a Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative

CSDE Affiliate Anirban Basu (Health Economics) along with other researchers at UW recently published a study in Gastroenterology and Hepatology that explored trends in utilization and costs following a statewide Hepatitis C elimination initiative in Washington. This case series analysis of state claims data for 21+ million individuals found that the number of HCV tests per month increased substantially 1 year after implementation, with prevalence increasing from 2017 to 2021 before declining significantly during 2022. Total costs for care increased from 2017 through 2019, consistent with higher prevalence during this period, but declined after mid-2020, even when prevalence was increasing. These findings suggest that expanded screening and access to treatment may decrease costs of HCV care over time.

Morris Identifies Culturally Responsive Practices for Supporting School Belonging Among Black Students

CSDE Affiliate Kamryn Morris (Social Work) published an article in Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (JESPAR) on teacher approaches to supporting school belonging among Black students. Morris interviewed nominated exemplar teachers in Arizona on how they employed culturally responsive practices. Thematic analysis revealed practices implemented across ecological levels of schooling contexts (i.e., teachers, teaching, classrooms, schools), including: 1) Educate yourself on the experiences of your students, 2) Practice empathy and model vulnerability, 3) Encourage cultural humility and connection, 4) Center equity and wellbeing in classroom norms, 5) Prioritize diversity in leadership, 6) Provide professional development for teachers, and 7) Implement restorative practices. The findings from this study can help schools move beyond isolated classroom strategies and implement multi-level systems of support—from teacher practice to school leadership—that mitigate risk for marginalization and intentionally cultivate belonging for Black students.

*New* HSPop Talk on Born Sick in the USA: Improving the Health of a Nation (03/17/26)

How healthy you are is dependent on where you live. Americans suffer more cancers, heart disease, mental illness, and other chronic diseases than those who live in other wealthy nations, despite having the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Why?  In this HSPop Book Talk on March 17 at 3 pm, we welcome Associate Teaching Professor Emeritus Stephen Bezruchka in conversation with department chair Megha Ramaswamy. The discussion will include the profound impact of public policies on American health from before birth and the intricate web where economic inequality weaves a tapestry of sickness stemming from a highly stressed society. Join in person in HRC 101 or online.

Leverso and Hess Author Analysis of Street Gang Content, Culture, and Roleplay on TikTok

CSDE External Affiliates John Leverso (University of Cincinnati) and Chris Hess (Kennesaw State University) published a mixed-methods analysis of 397 publicly available TikTok videos associated with Latino gangs in Chicago. Leverso, Hess, and co-authors identify three genres of content: (1) place-based memorials that document gang geography; (2) traditional gangbanging performances that assert identity and provoke rivals; and (3) role-playing simulations of gang life in Grand Theft Auto V. These genres circulate unevenly: users tend to post within a single niche, and place-based and traditional gangbanging content receive disproportionately higher engagement than role-playing videos. Across genres, credibility is both central and contested, as symbolic fluency can substitute for verifiable street ties. Findings reveal how TikTok amplifies familiar gang repertoires while blurring insider–outsider boundaries, underscoring the limitations of content-level inference in algorithmically mediated publics.

UW Center for Human Rights Student Research Funds (03/19/26)

Doing human rights research or projects? We have funding for you! Every year the UW Center for Human Rights funds students doing human rights research and projects, promoting research in service of real-world social change. Our funds are open to students from all three UW campuses, regardless of U.S. residency status. The application cycle is open February 9 – March 19, 2026.

Abe Osheroff & Gunnel Clark Endowed Fund

  • Undergraduate & graduate students, up to $5,000 available
  • Supports projects that promote social change through direct action

Dr. Lisa Sable Brown Endowed Fund

  • Graduate students, up to $2,100 available
  • Supports research on abolition of modern day slavery in its many forms

Peter Mack & Jamie Mayerfeld Endowed Fund

  • Graduate students, up to $4,300 available
  • Supports studies & research about human rights

Join us for an upcoming info session:

  • Wed, Feb 11, 3-4 p.m., VIRTUAL
  • Thurs, Feb 26, 3-4 p.m., VIRTUAL
  • Mon, Mar 9, 10-11 a.m., VIRTUAL