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Society + Culture

fist punch to gavel in front of red curtain
Photo Credit
Illustration by Matt Perko
In “Fighting Mad,” UCSB professor Laury Oaks examines how infant surrender policies are being used to justify restrictions on reproductive choice—and the ongoing fight for reproductive justice in the post-Roe era.

What baby safe haven laws reveal about reproductive justice

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Bridging divided views to strengthen communities
wooden block with one happy and sad faces

Is ‘U-shaped happiness’ universal? Not for rural subsistence populations, say researchers
Professor Tania Israel seated on a bench with text overlay Q&A
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
Professor and author Tania Israel, October 2024

Tania Israel’s new book teaches civil conversations in divisive times
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First Mahsa Amini fellow begins doctoral program in religious studies
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Opening up office hours
a group of Tanzanian men gather around a table and speak with a researcher
Photo Credit
David W. Lawson
A focus group of young men in Tanzania, led by project co-investigator Alexander Ishungisa (standing) and social scientist Elisha Mabula. (Photograph shared with participant consent.)

On gender: misperceptions about others can stifle women’s empowerment
A group of undergraduate volunteers pose in front of the chemistry building at UC Santa Barbara.
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Courtesy Image
SciTrek founder Norbert Reich (center back) poses with some of the over 280 undergraduate volunteers who make the program possible.

SciTrek, UCSB’s largest education outreach program, garners new funding to expand
Sandinistos getting off a helicopter
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Wikicommons
Helicopter-borne units of an FSLN counterinsurgency battalion landing in the middle of the tropical forest.

Study of Nicaragua’s Sandinistas argues for multilevel analysis of civil war violence
Students and professor working at a white board
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Matt Perko

On the origin of academic traditions — and some alternatives for debate
Concept photo showing protestors holding climate change signs
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iStock

Leveraging social psychology to overcome barriers to climate action
an illustration of a black woman as the statue of liberty

From Juneteenth to reparations: The ongoing journey for racial justice
Woman with tan skin and dark hair
Michelle Ramos Ramirez ’24

UCSB’s ÉXITO Program graduates third cohort of future ethnic studies teachers amidst rising attacks on ethnic studies
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