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Ince Selected as a Russell Sage Foundation Fellow

CSDE Affiliate Jelani Ince (Sociology) was selected as a Russell Sage Foundation Fellow for 2026–2027. The fellowship provides an opportunity for scholars in the social, economic, political and behavioral sciences to pursue their data analysis and writing while in residence at the foundation’s headquarters in New York City. Ince will use evidence from a two-year (2018-2020) ethnography of Risen Church, an interracial church in St. Louis, Missouri, to examine why DEI initiatives fail despite explicit commitments to their successful implementation. Ince will use ethnographic, interview, and administrative data to develop a sociological theory of philanthropic capture: a structural condition in which philanthropic organizations tether diversity missions to the preferences of elite donors. Ince will interrogate how to account for local activity, agency, and change without reverting to the kind of individualism that sociological approaches to studying organizations were designed to critique.

IPUMS Data Updates: USA, NHGIS, and ATUS

IPUMS announces the release of the latest ACS 5-year summary file data from IPUMS NHGIS, a new tool to help researchers understand linking counts between the ATUS and CPS, and even more geography variables from IPUMS USA.

IPUMS USA has added geography variables, including a new consistent PUMA variable, CPUMA1020, which creates consistent geographic boundaries across 2010 and 2020 PUMA definitions, spanning the 2012–2024 samples. Users can also find new Migration and Place-of-Work variables based on 2023 metropolitan statistical area (MSA) definitions.

IPUMS NHGIS has added the 2020-2024 5-Year Summary File from the American Community Survey (ACS). Nearly 1,200 new summary tables are now available for geographic areas as small as block groups. NHGIS also extended its time series tables to include 2020-2024 ACS 5-year data and added new 2024 GIS boundary files.

IPUMS ATUS has released ATUS-CPS Linking Counts, an interactive tool for exploring the number of ATUS respondents who can be linked to specific months of the CPS. Check out our latest blog post for an introduction of how to use this tool to take advantage of the research potential of the ATUS-CPS linkage

Zhao Interviewed by The Financial Times on AI fakes are Turning Satellite Images into War Misinformation 

The Financial Times interviewed CSDE Affiliate Bo Zhao (Geography) on how AI is accelerating information warfare—particularly through AI- manipulated satellite imagery. For instance, satellite imagery suspected to be generated or modified with AI circulated widely on social media following recent Iranian drone strikes. Zhao noted that AI can be used to add color to satellite images–which subtly changes how people view the scene, introducing perceived differences that might not actually be there.

Weaver Estimates Changes in Lifetime Spending and Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy in the US Between 1996 and 2016

Using a period life-expectancy framework, CSDE Affiliate Marcia Weaver (Health Metrics) tracked health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) and lifetime spending in the United States for all ages, producing the first estimates calculated at birth, the most comprehensive measure. Weaver and co-authors used population-level results on mortality and years lived with disability from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study and simulated effects of changes in healthcare for 132 causes. Increases in lifetime spending often occur at younger ages than increases in health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE), underscoring the importance of estimates calculated at birth.

2026 IAPHS Annual Meeting: Health & Social Justice Sessions (03/10/26)

The IAPHS Committee on Health & Social Justice invites abstract proposals for the 2026 IAPHS Annual Meeting that explore methodological approaches for conducting rigorous, ethical, and trust-building research with hypermarginalized populations. For this call,hypermarginalized populations refer to communities who experience intensified and overlapping forms of structural exclusion, including (but not limited to) criminalization, displacement or houselessness, immigration enforcement, state surveillance, and chronic institutional neglect. We encourage submissions that recognize the heterogeneity within these groups and avoid treating any community as monolithic.
We are particularly interested in abstracts that highlight liberatory or justice-centered research methods, specifically, approaches that intentionally shift traditional power dynamics in population health research by centering community expertise, ensuring meaningful participation, and reducing the risk of harm. These may include (but are not limited to) community-driven or participatory approaches, data sovereignty practices, trauma-informed research design, abolitionist or freedom-centered frameworks, and other methodologies that support ethical engagement with communities for whom trust in institutions has historically been compromised.
Submissions should describe 1) how researchers or practitioners collaborate with communities experiencing compounded marginalization to build mutual respect and trust . 2) Methods that respect safety, autonomy, and non-extraction. And, 3) Methodological innovation to generate more valid, action-oriented knowledge while maintaining fidelity to ethical practice.
Proposals may draw from research, practice, or community-academic partnerships.

Call for Special Issues: Migration Politics Journal (05/15/26)

The Migration Politics journal invites proposals for two Special Issues through its Annual Special Issue Call, issued each February. The 2026 call will select two proposals to be published in Winter 2027 and Summer 2028. All Special Issue themes relevant to the broad scope of Migration Politics will be considered, regardless of specific focus. Prospective guest editor(s) are encouraged to consult the journal’s website for an overview of articles published to date. Proposals should comprise 7–8 articles, including a Special Issue introduction and original research articles. Proposals may be submitted by early-career or established scholars, and contributions co-authored by scholars and practitioners are also welcome.

Deadline: May 15, 2026

See full ad: https://migrationpolitics.org/2026/02/24/call-for-special-issues-2026/

CSDE Supports Latino Center with Infographic on Latinos in Washington State

Did you know CSDE can help you with demographic data for your projects?  For example, CSDE’s Research Scientist June Yang (Computational Demographer) recently provided the background data for the Latino Center for Health that contributed to a newly published infographic.  The project is part of an initiative launched by CSDE Affiliate Leo Morales (General Internal Medicine) seeking to understand better the health needs of Washington’s Latino heritage residents.  Dr. Morales describes the collaboration, “Working with CSDE and its scientific team to generate the demographic data to support this report was hugely helpful and made it easy to complete our project.”  If you are interested in assistance like this, please contact our staff for consultations here.

CSDE is Deeply Saddened by the Passing of Alan Li

CSDE’s Senior Computer Specialist Alan Li passed Monday, February 23rd. We, his friends and colleagues, are devastated by this unexpected loss.

Alan was a kind and caring colleague. He was absolutely dedicated to providing the very best computing services for thousands of students, staff, and colleagues. He set a very high standard of IT systems and support and established CSDE’s computing core reputation. He also had a great sense of ironic humor. All who knew him benefited from his unique perspective on the world. While it was very hard to get him to take vacation, he was a world traveler, including serving as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Haiti. He is survived by his son, who was the absolute center of his life. Alan Li will be deeply missed by all of us.  To share a story or memory of Alan, please visit here.  The family has not yet announced plans for a service, but we will update this page as soon as we hear from them about how they would like us to honor him