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Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology

Knox and Jones-Smith Featured in Seattle News Outlets About Research on Healthy Food Benefit Programs

CSDE UW Affiliate Melissa Knox (Economics) and CSDE External Affiliate Jessica Jones-Smith (UC Irvine) recently published a research article in JAMA Network Open titled, “Healthy Food Benefit Programs, Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, and Food Security,” that was featured in the Seattle Times, UW News, the Seattle Medium, and Greenspace. Programs that make fruit and vegetables more accessible and improve food security for low-income families have the potential to reduce health disparities and improve population health. Fresh Bucks is a $40/month healthy food program that helps Seattle neighbors afford fruits and vegetables. Dr. Knox, Dr. Jones-Smith, and their co-authors’ research shows that Fresh Bucks households experience a 31% higher rate of food security, they consume at least three daily servings of fruits and vegetables 37% more often than those assigned to a program waitlist, and other important data. To read the full study, visit this link.

*New* UW Libraries Webinar – Allowable Publishing Costs: Demystifying NIH’s RFI on Limiting Article Publishing Coverage (09/09/25)

Allowable Publishing Costs: Demystifying NIH’s RFI on limiting article publishing charge coverage (Zoom)

Tuesday, September 9th from 4:00-5:00pm

Sign Up to Attend

The UW Libraries is hosting a webinar on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposal to limit the amount of grant funding that could be contributed to publication costs. The recent Request for Information (RFI) on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Cost includes options ranging from no longer supporting publication costs to limiting how much of an award could be used towards publication costs. Join them for an informational panel to explore the purpose and scope of the NIH RFI, demystify the options presented, and hear varying perspectives on approaches for responses–all to help position you to write your own response to the RFI. Colleagues from all fields are welcome, noting that other federal agencies may model their policies on those of NIH.

Sutton, Hagopian, and Almquist Publish Article on Homelessness, Tent Encampments, and Proximity to Amenities in Seattle

CSDE External Affiliate and former T32 Fellow Aja Sutton (Portland State University), CSDE UW Affiliates Amy Hagopian (Health Systems and Population Health) and Zack Almquist (Sociology), and co-author Whitney Walker (ETS REACH), recently published a research article in Cities: the International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning, titled, “Encampments as neighbors: Encampment location and proximity to amenities among Seattle, WA’s unhoused population.”  In this article, they investigate how Seattle encampments’ proximity to basic amenities compares to those in emergency shelters and rental units using rich spatial, administrative, and outreach worker data from Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS) REACH. They also discuss the implications of providing effective support for people living unhoused, and present what is likely the most comprehensive and recent study of Seattle neighborhood amenities proximity among the unsheltered population. To read the full research article, visit this link.

CSSCR Workshop – Analyze Questionnaire Responses: An Introduction to Item Response Theory (09/11/25)

Description: Item response theory (IRT) is a powerful framework for analyzing questionnaire and test data. This introductory workshop will guide participants through the key concepts of IRT and results interpretation. Ideal for researchers and students who work with questionnaires and surveys. No prior IRT experience required.

  • Instructor: He Ren, CSSCR Consultant
  • Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
  • Time: 1:00pm – 2:50pm
  • Location: Savery 117 (Big Lab)
  • Register here.

Knox Speaks at Mayor Harrell’s Press Conference on Significant Investment in Food Access in 2026 Budget

On Thursday, September 4th, Mayor Bruce Harrell gave a press conference at the Lake City Farmers Market to preview millions in proposed investments as part of his 2026 budget, focused on expanding access to healthy, affordable food across Seattle. Part of that investment is the Fresh Bucks Program, a $40/month healthy food program that helps Seattle neighbors afford fruits and vegetables. Mayor Harrell proposed an expansion of Fresh Bucks with a $6 million investment that would expand the monthly stipend by 50% to $60/month, get the 4,000 people who are waiting to be a part of this program off the waitlist, and take the program participants from 12,000 to 16,000. At the press conference, CSDE UW Affiliate Melissa Knox (Economics) shared her and her team’s research findings on the Fresh Bucks program. Dr. Knox and team surveyed around 2,000 households who were part of the program or on the waitlist and found findings such as Fresh Bucks households experience a 31% higher rate of food security. Dr. Knox states, “at the end of the day, our study, our numbers, told a pretty simple story. When Seattle invests in programs like Fresh Bucks, they make it possible for individuals and families to worry less where their next meals are coming from, and they can focus more on living a healthier life.” To watch the full press conference and to listen to Dr. Knox’s findings, visit this link.

Curran, Dorélien, and Zagheni Nominated for IUSSP Council Member Elections

CSDE Director Sara Curran, CSDE Training Core PI and Research Affiliate Audrey Dorélien (Sociology), and CSDE External Affiliate Emilio Zagheni (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research) are all candidates proposed by the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) Committee for the IUSSP Officers and Council members for 2026-2029. Dr. Curran is nominated for Council Member for North America, Dr. Dorélien is nominated for Council Member at large, and Dr. Zagheni is nominated for Vice President. Elections will take place from September 15th, 2025 to October 27th, 2025. To view the full list of nominees and for more information, visit this link. Congratulations to Dr. Curran, Dr. Dorélien, and Dr. Zagheni on your nominations!

*New* Call for Applications – Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE) Final Year Dissertation Award (09/15/25)

The office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE) is offering a funding opportunity for UW graduate students who are in their final year of their doctoral dissertation. Below is a brief description of the award and the full description can be found on the award webpage.

Please note that students apply for this award directly through the MyGrad system for students. Funding will be disbursed this upcoming academic year (2025-26).

GSEE Final Year Dissertation Award

Award: Recipients will receive a total stipend of $31,500.00 during the 2025-26 academic year ($10,500.00 per quarter). This award covers full tuition and includes eligibility for health coverage through the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP).  

Eligibility: Graduate student must have achieved candidacy and expect to defend their dissertation during the 2025-26 academic year.

Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted through the MyGrad system on or before Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:59pm PST.

Webpage: For full information, please refer to the award webpage found HERE, where you’ll find all the necessary prompts and eligibility criteria.