Tags: Society

photo of woman, day, arch in background
Franklin student turning research into results

Foundation Fellow, Franklin College SGA Senator, and Blue Key Honor Society President Rayna Carter is building a lofty set of credentials to match her work ethic and soaring ambitions. A triple-major in psychology, sociology, and women and gender studies, her work has spanned four labs—from neuroimaging to bioinformatics—and she has presented it at national conferences and published peer-reviewed work as an undergraduate student.  From…

photo of two students in studio
Exploring expression and unity through Bad Bunny's music

This fall, Sharina Maíllo-Pozo, associate professor in the department of Romance Languages, taught a First Year Odyssey class focused on rapper, singer, and record producer Bad Bunny and the reggaetón music genre, which encouraged students to engage with Bad Bunny’s music from global and personal perspectives.   Maíllo-Pozo gave an overview of her seminar: “At the intersection of music, culture, and critical inquiry, this seminar invites…

photo of woman speaking at lectern, flags in background
UGA doctoral student wins atmospheric sciences award

University of Georgia doctoral candidate Ashley Cornish received the 27th annual Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences from the Desert Research Institute. An award ceremony commemorating her achievement was held at the DRI campus in Reno on Oct. 7, 2025. The Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences is an annual competition recognizing the published works of women pursuing a…

headshot photo of woman
BICAID 2025: Africa at the Crossroads of Global Politics

The University of Georgia African Studies Institute presents the Ninth Biennial International Conference on Africa and its Diaspora, or BICAID 2025, Nov. 5 – 7, 2025 in the Tate Student Center.  The theme of this year’s conference is, “Africa at the Crossroads of Global Politics: Indigenous Knowledge, Youth Agency, and Diaspora Partnerships.” The three-day international conference is being held in a hybrid format with registered…

photo of arch, with buildings, tree, day
Three Franklin faculty members named 2025-2026 Aspire Fellows

The University of Georgia has named 11 faculty members – including three from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences – to the 2025-2026 Aspire Fellows cohort. The Fellows represent seven UGA schools and colleges as well as the Center for Teaching and Learning. Established in 2017, the Aspire Fellows program is designed for mid-career and senior faculty on any career track to complete a signature project that extends their professional impact…

photo of flooded street, day
UGA, Duke collaborate with insurers to rethink climate resilience

Funded by a five-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, a new partnership between the University of Georgia, Duke University and leaders from the insurance and climate data industries will launch the Center for Innovation in Risk, Catastrophes, and Decisions (CIRCAD),  a new initiative focused on insurance innovation and large-scale climate risk mitigation research. CIRCAD will convene researchers, insurers,…

graphic with scientific icons, globe, white text
Award Applications in Undergraduate Science & Scientific Writing

Undergraduate STEM student writers can receive international recognition through two recently announced science communication awards honoring current and former UGA faculty members.   The Writing and STEM Business Group, part of the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) - the largest writing studies conference in the world - is now accepting nominations for these inaugural awards. The Kris…

photo of man in white coat, in hallway
Dr. Rev-up

Franklin biology alumnus Chip Chambers traded whipping up the excitement of Sanford Stadium crowds for serving patients in rural South Carolina. UGA shares the story in this terrific installment of Beyond the Arch: As the patients describe their ailments or injuries or updates to the fresh-faced doctor with the red beard and kind eyes, it’s unlikely they’re picturing Chambers in his previous life leading student section cheers at Georgia…

photo of crowd at sporting event
Collective experience strengthens social ties

Coincidental convergence aside - a Friday on campus, a getaway day for a big game away – new research from University of Georgia psychology suggests attending live events can combat loneliness and build social connections, particularly if those events are in person. Led by Franklin faculty member Richard Slatcher (Julianne Holt-Lunstad at BYU is co-lead of the project) the research team analyzed data from 1,551 participants who reported…

photo of two men, with stalk, sun, and sky
A place at the table

UGA researchers from across campus are deeply engaged in food systems and agricultural sustainability issues around town and around the globe. UGA Research Communications offers an updated look at the social connections that provide the foundation for a wide variety of efforts to support a healthy ecosystem. The largest remaining Saltwater Geechee community in the nation has lived in Sapelo Island’s Hog Hammock community for centuries. Today,…

graphic illustration with city scape and red colors
The power of positive thinking - on health

New research led by UGA psychology suggests a strong correlation between having a positive perspective about the future and enhanced health. “There are many ways that people cope with risk to survival. One way people may thrive when conditions are risky and difficult is to adopt a positive perspective about the future,” said Brian Haas, lead author of the study and an associate professor in the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences…

photo of arch, trees, building in background, day
Franklin College launches Franklin CREATE! startup initiative

The Franklin College has partnered with The Marcus Foundation to launch Franklin CREATE!, a new initiative designed to build students’ entrepreneurial confidence and to help them create successful startup companies. Funded by a $3 million grant from The Marcus Foundation, Franklin CREATE! will establish a robust three-phase model that allows arts and sciences students to gain hands-on experience, mentorship and access to the resources needed to…

graphic with white text on red, logo
Ten years in the Top 20

The University of Georgia has placed in the top 20 among the nation’s best public universities for the 10th consecutive year, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings. UGA and Georgia Tech remain the only two Georgia institutions in the top 20, making Georgia and California the only two states with multiple universities ranked in that tier. Among private and public universities, UGA placed No. 46 in the nation: The USNWR…

illustration of head with interior matter exposed
Risk of developing psychiatric conditions could be shaped by environment

A new University of Georgia research study links a lack of resources in a given area to a higher risk of certain psychiatric conditions for its residents. Living in low-income, high crime areas correlates with a 79% higher rate of psychotic disorders. Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia can be debilitating, interfering with a person’s mental, physical and social health. The new study suggests a person’s risk for developing these conditions…

photo of woman and sign, books in background
Conducting fieldwork in Social Science

Rumya Putcha, jointly appointed faculty in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music and the Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies, has developed a career based on understanding her role as a social science researcher. A terrific feature from UGA Research Communications unpacks her approach and the rewarding career she in the process of building: Over her decades-long career studying the role of music in international cultures, that question has been…

photo of woman, brick wall in background
UGA's Maíllo-Pozo earns national teaching award

University of Georgia faculty member Sharina Maíllo-Pozo has been awarded the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP) 2025 Faculty Teaching Award.  The CLASP Faculty Teaching Award recognizes excellence in teaching courses designated for Latin American Studies in which the recipient has demonstrated sustained accomplishment in outstanding teaching effectiveness, including pedagogical style and student success stories;…

video still photo of man, globe and wall in background
Noted and Quoted, summer 2025

Throughout the summer quiet and into the busy fall, Franklin faculty expertise and research findings continues to resonate broadly across the global media. A few of the many recent stores we've been following: How it’s not about the place — it’s about the people – research lead by Daisi Brand, graduate student in the department of psychology, reported by Health Medicine Network   New research illustrates how live events foster social…

photo of woman with award trophy
UGA's Shannon receives USG Hall of Fame Faculty Award

UGA faculty member Sarah Shannon was among three USG faculty honored with the Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award at the University System of Georgia (USG) 21st annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala "The Sky's the Limit," which raised more than $4.5 million from generous sponsors to expand need-based scholarships for USG students across the state.  The black-tie gala, hosted at the Delta Flight Museum in August 23 by Maria…

photo of postcard with galloping camels in series
UGA English professor receives British Arts and Humanities award

University of Georgia faculty member Susan Rosenbaum, along with Jonathan Ellis, Reader in American Literature at the University of Sheffield, received a $351,000 grant from Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Rosenbaum, associate professor in the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences…

photo of man pointing to vine, group of people watch in background
New Faculty Tour lets professors get to know Georgia

28 University of Georgia faculty members toured the state in early August on the 2025 New Faculty Tour. The immersive five-day trip introduces new faculty to UGA’s statewide mission and helps them connect their academic expertise to the real-world needs of Georgia communities.  The tour provided a thorough introduction to UGA’s vital role in the state as participants traveled through 45 counties and 15 cities: Tour stops included the UGA…

Headshot image of Jack Hartpence
Jack Hartpence: Supplying Water, Serving Humanity 

In this seven-part series, we’re excited to highlight our 2025 Franklin alumni award winners—showcasing their accomplishments and providing some insights as we seek this year’s nominations. The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Awards honor a group of outstanding alumni across various categories. These individuals exemplify The Franklin Spark, the characteristics that unite the arts and sciences: ambition, curiosity, creativity,…

Headshot photographs of alumni winners
11 Franklin College alumni among 2025 UGA 40 Under 40

Each year, the University of Georgia unveils its class of 40 alumni under the age of 40 who are leaders in their industries and communities. The individuals honored in 40 Under 40 embody the excellence of UGA alumni and we are proud of our 11 honorees, the foremost innovators among early career arts and sciences graduates in their respective fields. Their curiosity and creativity exemplify the enterprising vision of the Franklin College of Arts…

photo of two people sitting on bench, day
Conversation wins over setting in new dating study

'Location, location, location' turns out not to be so decisive when it comes to dating, according to new research from the department of psychology. What resonates more, researchers found out through a clever experiment, is of course the human connection: The researchers randomly paired up 200 strangers in two different first date environments. One room was adorned with comfortable furniture, decorations and nice lighting. The other space was…

Headshot photo of man
UGA to host lecture by the University of California, Davis, Chancellor Gary May

The University of Georgia's Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and Office of the Provost will host a lecture by Gary May, Chancellor of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), on Friday, September 12 at 11 a.m. in the UGA Chapel as part of the Fall 2025 Provost’s Seminar Series. The lecture is free and open to the public.  May’s lecture, “A Retrospective and Prospective Look at the Value of Higher Education,” will explore and…

photo of letter G formed by people in stadium, day
Welcome, Class of 2029!

It's that time – crowded buses and sidewalks, nervous energy and general wonderment of students back on campus for the fall of 2025. Welcome to the Class of 2029 – the next in a distinguished line of high-achieving, ambitious, creative freshmen entering UGA and the Franklin College with big dreams: This year, every measure of the incoming class’s academic profile increased. These first-year students arrive with an average of 11 Advanced…
Subscribe to Society