School of Social Sciences Humanities and Arts

Writer-in-Residence Mark Arax Chronicles California's Lifeblood: Water

September 18, 2025

UC Merced has debuted a writer-in-residence program with one of California’s premier chroniclers of its history, especially the titanic power plays for land and water that have shaped the state’s growth and loom over its future. Mark Arax, a Fresno native, author and former Los...

Researchers Dispel Child Development Myths at Symposium

When it comes to child development and education, separating fact from fiction is critical for professionals in the field. More than 65 educators and care providers benefited from the expertise of UC...

Campus Makes U.S. News Rankings for Grad Programs

For the first time, U.S. News & World Report has ranked two of UC Merced’s graduate programs, a sure sign that the young university’s reputation is beginning to build. The rankings, released this...

Relax: Benefits of Leisure Go Beyond the Moment

Doing the things you enjoy can be good for your health, according to a new study by Professor Matthew Zawadzki, a health psychologist with the University of California, Merced. The study,...

Study: Moral Decisions Can Be Manipulated by Tracking Eye Gaze

Moral decisions can be influenced by tracking moment-to-moment movements of the eyes during deliberation, according to new research published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of...

Mostern in D.C. to Advocate for Humanities Research

Professor Ruth Mostern, chair of the Interdisciplinary Humanities graduate group, is in Washington, D.C., today and tomorrow (March 16 to 17) to advocate for the humanities. Mostern is attending the...

Literature Professor Releases Book on Acclaimed Chilean Author

Ignacio López-Calvo, professor of Latin American literature in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, has edited a book that was published by Palgrave MacMillan this month. “Roberto...

Self-Portraits Show Perception of Illness Remains Despite Cure

If a picture is worth a thousand words, Professor Jitske Tiemensma’s research speaks volumes. The UC Merced health psychologist uses self-portraits to assess how patients feel about their illnesses....

Symposium to Focus on Child Development Myths

The UC Merced Symposium on the Child and Family will be held on campus from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 14. The event’s theme is “Myths About Child Development and Learning.” It will feature research-...

Sociologist Awarded for Book on Inequality in Higher Education

The American Sociological Association (ASA) has honored Professor Laura Hamilton and her co-author with its Distinguished Scholarly Publication Award for their 2013 book, “Paying for the Party: How...