Research & Expression

Social Sciences in Action

Social Science in Action highlights the research and scholarship that advance understanding of human behavior, society, and institutions. Faculty and students investigate how people interact, make decisions, and shape communities, applying evidence-based approaches to address local and global challenges. Their work informs policy, drives innovation, and contributes to more equitable and resilient societies. Explore the stories below to see how social science drives change and shapes the world we live in.

Hadza alphabet chart showing symbols, example words, and illustrations.

Hadza Alphabet Chart Completed to Support Language Revitalization

A new Hadza alphabet chart, created in partnership with Hadza community members, will be delivered to the community this August to support teaching, documentation, and language preservation.

A dog wearing a tin foil hat stares at an open laptop screen. Behind him is a "ripped from the headlines" collage of conspiracy theories a dog might believe.

Who’s Immune to Conspiracy Theories?

Professor Scott Tyson looks at how political conspiracy theories start and spread, and why people believe them. Tyson also explores how political conspiracy theories have changed in the last decade.

Close-up of a young girl holding a blue stuffed bear to illustrate child sexual abuse prevention.

Three Ways to Reduce Child Sexual Abuse Rates

A new study finds that local, community-wide education efforts can drastically lower incidence of sexual abuse of children. Psychology professor and director of Mt. Hope Family Center Jennie Noll acted as lead author for this national study.