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.
William T. Grant Scholars Program 2026 (03/18/26)
Postdoctoral Fellow, “Health, Cognition, Family, and Employment among Men (HOMME)” Project – University of Oslo (03/16/26)
Postdoctoral Scholar, Migration and Democracy at University of Notre Dame (03/20/26)
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.
Postdoctoral Researcher – Max Planck Research Group on Medical Demography (03/22/26)
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
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Demography – University of Vienna (03/22/26)
The Department of Demography (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Vienna) is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to replace an employee on leave. The contract duration is initially set to 5 May to 25 August 2026, but has a high likelihood of being extended until 30 June 2027 (depending on the incumbent employee’s absence). The successful candidate should have an excellent command of demography and its methods, and is expected to participate in the Department’s research and teaching activities.