Sociology

Spotlighting Black Trailblazers Whose Stories Deserve to be Told

February 12, 2026

Black History Month often honors familiar names, leaders whose courage and determination changed the course of a nation. But many others have made groundbreaking contributions that exposed injustice, advanced civil rights, reshaped American culture and revolutionized technology. Their achievements...

100 Sociology Undergraduate Students Trained in Survey Research

More than 100 sociology undergraduate students got the opportunity to conduct research about social movements and civic engagement in Central America. A UC Merced professor, along with...

Central Valley Caravan to Provide Labor Rights Information to Farmworkers

Farmworkers can learn more about their labor rights and workplace safety protections as a mobile informational caravan makes multiple stops across the Central Valley this weekend. UC Merced's...

Farmworkers receive facial coverings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis Shows Pandemic's Toll on California Workers in High-Risk Industries

California is getting a closer look at exactly how workers in high-risk industries across the state have borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. For the first time, UC Merced's Community and...

Alicia Garza speaks during a virtual event to honor her with the Spendlove Prize.

Alicia Garza, Civil Rights Activist and BLM Co-Founder, Honored with Spendlove Prize

While this year's ceremony looked quite different from years past due to the coronavirus pandemic, the presentation of the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social Justice, Diplomacy and...

Undergraduate Experience: Keanu Velasquez

Name: Keanu Velasquez Major: Sociology Major and Psychology Minor Year: Graduating May 2021, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Commencement Student Speaker Hometown: San...

Alicia Garza is a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network.

Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Alicia Garza is 13th Recipient of Spendlove Prize

Alicia Garza, civil rights activist and co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter and the Black Lives Matter Global Network, will be honored as the 13th recipient of the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in...

Conference to Provide Research Findings on Farmworker Health and Safety

For the first time in 20 years, researchers from across the country, UC Merced officials, local and state leaders and community members will take part in a conference stemming from an active study to...

Undergraduate Experience: Michael Aquino

Name: Michael David Aquino Year: Fourth Major: Sociology Hometown: Los Angeles What is a memorable project that you worked on during your time at UC Merced? A memorable project that I...

Undergraduate Experience: Erika Estrada Rodriquez

Name: Erika Estrada Rodriguez Year: Third Year Major: Sociology Hometown: Panorama City What is a memorable project that you worked on during your time at UC Merced...