Mark your calendars for NICHD’s Fellowship and Career Development Information Series! These virtual Q&A sessions describe funding mechanisms that support training and career development and allow participants to get answers from NICHD experts.

Future sessions in the series (all times Eastern):

• December 9, 1-2 p.m.: F99/K00 Individual Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award
• March 13, 2025, 3-4 p.m.: K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (Postdoctoral Fellow to Independent Researcher)

Past session:

• November 6, 3-4 p.m.: Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (PA-23-189)
  • Videocast link is available here.

As vehicular homelessness has become more prevalent in recent years, meeting the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs of vehicular residents has emerged as a growing public health concern. CSDE Affiliate Rachel Fyall (Evans School) recently co-authored an article in the International Journal on Homelessness which documents the experiences and WASH needs of RV residents in Seattle. The article, entitled “Keeping Clean: A Qualitative Analysis of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Among Residents of Recreational Vehicles in Seattle, WA US” finds that water and hygiene experiences of RV residents were comparable to those of other unhoused populations, but that sanitation needs were distinct. The authors also propose several service delivery models for cities which can address the needs of RV residents. Read the full article here.

Due to scheduling conflicts, this Friday’s CSDE Seminar “Conceptualizing Age, Predicting Inequality” with Sasha Johfre is CANCELLED.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

We will next meet on December 6 for CSDE Trainees’ Lightning Talks and Posters in the Allen Library!  Refreshments and fun to be had!  See you then!

How did the West Coast become the “Left Coast” and what does that mean for American politics? In the 1930s, California, Oregon, and Washington began to develop a relationship based on the role of radical social movements that has added to their regional affinities ever since. Appearing first in the 1980s, the term “Left Coast” has further underlined the significance of progressive and radical movements in the political systems and reputations of these states. In the Katz Distinguished Lecture on December 3rd, CSDE Affiliate James Gregory (History) will explore the history of West Coast radicalism and factors that have made it influential beyond what is common in other regions, including those with blue state traditions. The event (6:30pm in Kane Hall, Room 210) is free and open to the public. Seats open until filled.

Research on political polarization has shown that it is a powerful force which can significantly impact Americans’ attitudes, beliefs and actions. In a recent article, CSDE research scientist June Yang and Research Affiliate Zack Almquist (Sociology) show that political conservatism partially explains the Evangelicals’ stance against mask mandates during the pandemic. The article, entitled “Political and educational dynamics behind the Evangelicals’ stance against mask mandates during COVID-19 in the U.S” and published Social Science Research, also shows that a higher level of education is positively associated with greater political polarization of public opinions on the mask mandate during the pandemic. Read the full article here.

Google Scholar has been an essential tool for many researchers in the past two decades, but artificial intelligence has created new possibilities for improving academic search technologies. CSDE Affiliate Jevin West (Information School) was quoted in a recent Nature article on the opportunities created by the integration of AI into new search tools. In the article, West explains how some of the characteristics of Google Scholar have created opportunities for competitors. Read the full article here.