Because Gun Violence Requires Social Science Solutions
This week's Why Social Science? post comes from researchers at the University of Connecticut and Johns Hopkins University to touch on the many ways social science offers insights into preventing and reducing the prevalence of gun-related violence.
By Jennifer Dineen, Ph.D. (University of…
New resource on structural racism and rigorous models of social inequity
To better understand and address structural racism, it is important to consider historical and contemporary policies as well as other structural factors that affect people’s health and well-being across the life course, along with strategies for measuring those factors.
A new interactive…
CSUA Conference registration now open
SSRI’s Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction's annual conference will be held May 1, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the HUB-Robeson Center. The conference is free, but registration is required. We encourage researchers, students, staff, and community members to attend. This event is in-person at…
Social connection key to educational attainment among post-9/11 veterans
Post-9/11 veterans who actively participate in veteran centers and veteran-student organizations as they pursue education after military service are significantly more likely to do better in school than those who remain socially isolated, according to Penn State research.
“The data indicates that…
Trauma causes high levels of intergenerational substance use among Black women
Government data show that approximately 7.2 million women in the United States have substance use disorders (SUDs) and almost 20 million reported illicit substance use in the past year. New research suggests that trauma leads to high levels of intergenerational substance use among Black women, and…
Racial and ethnic disparities in STEM achievement appear earlier than thought
Racial and ethnic disparities in advanced mathematics and science achievement occur as early as kindergarten, much earlier than previously thought, according to a new study led by a Penn State College of Education researcher. The findings suggest that economic and educational policies designed to…
Podcast explores the genetics of personality through the lens of adoption
Social scientists have long sought to better understand how and why different behavioral traits develop in different individuals. The question of “nature vs. nurture,” often cited in society's popular lexicon, reflects a collective interest in sorting out which aspects of people's personalities can…
Research Data Management Policy Town Hall Announcement
As previously announced, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have instituted a new Data Management and Sharing Policy that went into effect on January 25, 2023. In a memorandum to federal departments and agencies, The Office of Science and Technology Policy, “delivered guidance for…
Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, White House to co-host national forum
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Penn State’s Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative (EIC) will co-host the final Evidence Forum of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Year of Evidence for Action on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the White House.
The forum will…
New SSRI Faculty Affiliate program launches
We are inviting social and behavioral science faculty at Penn State to join the SSRI community through our new Faculty Affiliate Program. Being a Faculty Affiliate will connect you with SSRI, research opportunities, and other Affiliates. Read more about the full benefits of becoming an SSRI Faculty…
Penn State sixth in COSSA rankings for social and behavioral science R&D
COSSA recently released its annual College and University Rankings for Federal Social and Behavioral Science R&D, which highlight the top university recipients of research dollars in the social and behavioral sciences. In their rankings, Penn State came in sixth place with over $38 million…
Demographers identify the causes, challenges of a rapidly aging Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rican population is aging rapidly, with the percentage of older adults on the island the 10th highest in the world. Penn State researchers are discovering, for the first time, the causes of population aging and how it will negatively impact Puerto Rico.
Amílcar Matos-Moreno, postdoctoral…
Penn State leads multi-state project to help prevent opioid misuse
Opioid use disorder continues to wreak havoc across the United States. Opioids were involved in more than 68,000 overdose deaths in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Penn State recently received a $1.3 million, two-year grant from the Substance Use and Mental…
Student translational science training programs now accepting applications
As part of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences‘ (NCATS) Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, Penn State is one of more than 60 organizations nationally charged with delivering infrastructure and training to improve the health research process.
Penn State…
Penn State establishes international center for co-parenting research
The arrival of a baby can bring tremendous joy — and stress — to new parents. Research in several countries has shown that new parents who learn teamwork skills are more likely to have supportive relationships that result in better physical and mental health, more sensitive and warm parenting…
SSRI introduces Faculty Fellows for 2023-24
Five Penn State faculty members were recently named Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) Mentored Faculty Fellows for 2023-24. The mentored faculty fellows program supports the career development of early career Penn State faculty in social and behavioral sciences to engage in new areas of…
Piazza Center creates national hazing and dangerous drinking prevention study
The Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform is partnering with the WITH US Center for Bystander Intervention at California Polytechnic State University and the Gordie Center at the University of Virginia to determine best practices in hazing and substance misuse…
New T32-funded postdoctoral position
The Population Research Institute at Penn State is delighted to announce an opening for a Postdoctoral position in its T32-funded program in Social Environments and Population Health. Please help us get the word out about this fabulous opportunity!
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in…
CSUA seed grants now open
SSRI's Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction (CSUA) invites proposals for Level 2 pilot research projects aimed at addressing issues related to substance use and addiction. We seek interdisciplinary Penn State teams to develop novel translational research programs, which can range from…
Why Social Science? Because It Can Help Us Maintain Safer Workplaces
This week's Why Social Science? post comes from The Conversation, where Jesus M. de la Garza, E. Scott Geller, and Sogand Hasanzadeh write about the behavioral science behind risk taking and how that can be applied to make workplaces safer.
Interventions designed to keep…
Penn State CTSI accepting applications for Bridges to Translation pilot funding
Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)invites applications for its Bridges to Translation pilot project funding, to help build connections across the translational spectrum of the health and biomedical sciences.
CTSI will provide up to $240,000 to support…
Bimodal intervention shows promise for intimate partner violence survivors
Black women involved in the legal system disproportionately experience intimate partner violence (IPV) but currently have few options for tailored interventions that consider intersectionality, according to a Penn State College of Education researcher.
Brandy Henry, assistant professor of education…
PRI Visiting Scholar Program
Penn State's Population Research Institute (PRI) is delighted to announce a new Visiting Scholars Program. Candidates will receive support from PRI to prepare a grant for submission to NIH/NICHD. The Visiting Scholars will visit Penn State’s University Park campus for one week of intensive writing…
Ho awarded grant to study effects of migration on life expectancy
Life expectancy in the U.S. has been stagnating for over a decade, with coastal and metropolitan areas experiencing life expectancy gains far above those in interior and nonmetropolitan parts of the country. A $2.6 million grant awarded to Jessica Y. Ho, associate professor of sociology and…
New and Improved Process For Submitting RDC Proposals
The RDC process for applying for federal restricted-use data has become standardized.
The Interagency Council on Statistical Policy has announced that the standard application process, or SAP, began accepting applications on December 8, 2022. The announcement marks an important…