Why Social Science?
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It provides knowledge derived from social and behavioral science research which has made our population healthier, our democracy fairer, our nation safer, and our economy stronger.
Why Social Science?
2w ago
By Carlotta Arthur (Executive Director, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, NASEM) and Emanuel Robinson (Director, Board on Human-Systems Integration, NASEM)
Artificial Intelligence – “AI” – continues to be the subject of hot debate around the world as governments seek ways to regulate it to protect the public, and developers continue to push towards AI with more human-like capabilities. What’s at stake depends on who you listen to: some extoll the benefits of AI to “transform” the way we live and work, downplaying the potential for negative impacts on society, while othe ..read more
Why Social Science?
1M ago
By Camille Gamboa (AVP of Corporate Communications at Sage)
We know that social and behavioral science (SBS) has a hold on the conversation when institutional and government decision-makers parley over what goes into ‘policy.’ But oftentimes the SBS researchers whose own work goes into policy are unaware that they’re making an impact in the real world and are stymied from amplifying their findings or using them to advance their careers or fields.
With this in mind, Sage partnered with Overton to create Sage Policy Profiles, a free-to-use tool that enables researchers to discover the real-world ..read more
Why Social Science?
2M ago
By Monica N. Feit, Ph.D. (Executive Director of the Health and Medicine Division, NASEM)
There is a growing recognition in the scientific community that health research is richer when it incorporates the perspectives of those with lived experience.
What is lived experience? It is the unique expertise provided by individuals who have been directly affected by specific health issues. It could come from a patient or their caregiver, or from members of a community who have experienced something collectively, such as adverse health effects from contaminated drinking water. Those with lived experien ..read more
Why Social Science?
4M ago
By Rayvon Fouché, Ph.D. (Northwestern University)
For those reading nearly any media outlet during 2023, it is hard to miss the fact that Artificial Intelligence (AI)–in all its varied manifestations–is a regularized component of public discussion and debate. The celebrated and feared emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022, the Writers Guild of America strike and the concerns that writing would cease to be a human endeavor, and the recent firing and subsequent rehiring of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman clearly illustrate that AI is having a moment. So much so that prediction and forecasting site Metaculus i ..read more
Why Social Science?
7M ago
By Mark Chan, Ph.D., and Dennis P. Stolle, JD, Ph.D. (American Psychological Association)
An average full-time worker spends about 40 hours a week working. Assuming retirement at 67 years old, an average person will spend approximately 90,000 hours, or 10 years, of their life working. Given this, and the extent to which our work can shape our self-identities, it is not a stretch to say that psychologically healthy workplaces are critical for population mental health. That is, psychologically healthy workplaces meaningfully contribute to a mentally healthy population.
Before continuing, let’s d ..read more
Why Social Science?
9M ago
By Clare Cunningham Ph.D., Catherine Heinemeyer, Ph.D., and Jude Parks, Ph.D. (York St John University)
Universities have the resources to help combat the climate crisis. What’s more, they have a responsibility to their students – who want to take action, but may lack the support they need to do so.
One way universities can do this is to help students use their skills to contribute to university- and community-wide projects. This can create real change, as well as teaching students how to take collaborative action.
In 2019, we started a research project with colleagues at York St Joh ..read more
Why Social Science?
10M ago
By Amy Burke, Program Director for Science, Technology, and Innovation Analysis, (NCSES, NSF) & Julia Milton, Communications Specialist (NCSES, NSF)
Every 2 years, the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) publishes a congressionally mandated report on the demographic makeup of the population working in and studying science and engineering (S&E). For decades, the employment section of this report largely focused on those working in S&E occupations, which generally require at least a 4-year degree. However, a thri ..read more
Why Social Science?
11M ago
Contributors: Deborah Carr, Boston University; Nicole R. Stokes, Penn State University; and Brenna Tosh, Cornell University
On April 24-25, 2023, over 50 social and behavioral science researchers, students, and advocates from 11 different states participated in Social Science Advocacy Day. This annual event, organized by in the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA), brings together advocates from across the country to discuss with Members of Congress and their staff the importance of funding federal agencies and programs that support social and behavioral science research. This yea ..read more
Why Social Science?
1y ago
By Jennifer Dineen, Ph.D. (University of Connecticut), Kerri Raissian, Ph.D. (University of Connecticut), and Cassandra Crifasi, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins University)
America’s gun death rate is unacceptably high – it is well beyond that of any other developed country. In 2020, there were 45,222 gun related deaths, with 24,264 (54%) of those being suicides and 20,958 (46%) being homicides. Within America, gun violence is the leading cause of death for children (defined as persons being under the age of 18), and it is among the top 5 causes of death of those under the age of 44.&nb ..read more
Why Social Science?
1y ago
By Jesus M. de la Garza, Ph.D. (Clemson University), E. Scott Geller, Ph.D. (Virginia Tech), and Sogand Hasanzadeh, Ph.D. (Purdue University)
Interventions designed to keep people safe can have hidden side effects. With an increased perception of safety, some people are more likely to take risks.
For example, some vehicle drivers take more risks when they are buckled up in a shoulder-and-lap belt. Some construction workers step closer to the edge of the roof because they are hooked to a fall-protection rope. Some parents of young children take less care wit ..read more