Social Sciences

Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium offers supportive venue for students to share ‘incredible work’

Lillian Wieland’s freshman-year presentation for the Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium (RURS) “went terribly,” as she recalls it.

Award, plaque to honor legacy of former Dean of Social Sciences Lyn Ragsdale

Lyn Ragsdale's legacy of excellence will live on with an award bearing her name and a memorial plaque on campus.

Juneteenth event addresses Rice's history and topics of African American life

Task force proposes competition to redesign Academic Quad, determine fate of statue.

Leaders who embrace on-job learning and listen to employees have more resilient teams

Leaders who encourage their employees to learn on the job and speak up with ideas and suggestions for change have teams that are more effective and resilient in the face of unexpected situations, according to new research from Rice University and the University of Windsor.

Bad romance: Negative relationships linked to worse physical and mental health in postpartum women

HOUSTON – (June 3, 2021) – Postpartum women in bad romantic relationships are not only more likely to suffer symptoms of depression, they are also at greater long-term risk of illness or death, according to new research from Rice University, Ohio State University and the University of California, Irvine.

Body chemistry can predict severity of depression after death of spouse

A new study from researchers at Rice University has found that bodily inflammation after the death of a spouse can predict future depression.

Lost sleep after death of a spouse can damage health of survivor

HOUSTON – (May 17, 2021) – The death of a spouse is a devastating event that can affect many aspects of the surviving partner's life. Sleep loss that often follows can have a negative long-term impact on the health of the widowed spouse, according to new research from Rice University.

Record number of psychology undergraduates earn honors

Sixteen Rice undergraduates majoring in psychology — a record for the department — earned honors recognition, which requires completing an independent, mentored research project over the course of the academic year.

40th Kinder Houston Area Survey: Hope for future despite pandemic's challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought an array of challenges, but Houstonians remain optimistic about their personal futures, according to the 2021 Kinder Houston Area Survey. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Houston’s usually positive feelings about race relations are on the decline. And more people than ever want the government to play a bigger role in solving the country's problems and addressing the growing inequalities.

Black and white soldiers' death rates in Korean War were similar regardless of segregation, study finds

The landmark Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the doctrine of "separate but equal," but for many decades after that segregation was enforced in virtually all aspects of life, including the military.

Social Sciences in the summer: Timely issues on tap for upcoming courses

Summer will be here soon, but Rice's School of Social Sciences isn't taking a vacation from learning. A variety of classes focusing on timely social, political and economic issues are being offered during the summer term.

Unconventional Students at Rice 2021: Khayla Patel runs with a purpose

When Khayla Patel’s parents pushed her to try track and field at Houston’s Memorial High School, she had no idea it would lead her to Rice. “I tried one practice and I fell in love with it,” she said. “And that's where my running career set off.” Under Rice women’s track and field coach Jim Bevan, the cross-country runner has achieved All-Conference USA status, won the Rice Invitational and helped her team win a conference championship.  

'Become human again' to address social, environmental challenges

"Hyposubjects: on becoming human," a new book from Rice professors Timothy Morton and Dominic Boyer, takes an experimental approach to thinking about the social and environmental challenges of our times.

Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address

EXPERT ALERT Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address HOUSTON – (April 28, 2021) – President Joe Biden will make his first address to a joint session of Congress this evening, and Rice University political scientist Paul Brace is available to discuss what to expect.

Managerial Studies makeover: Revamped degree program to emphasize leadership training

Students who dream of a career as a CEO and want the education and real-world experience that can get them there should look no further than Rice University's Managerial Economics and Organizational Sciences (MEOS) major.