Rice Social Sciences

Proud of Beatriz Brandao for winning first place at the TMC Neuroscience Poster Session! Her research links hormonal contraceptive use to better emotion regulation and reduced memory for negative details. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Rice psychologist Kirsten Adam studies how visual distractions hijack attention and how the brain refocuses. Her NSF CAREER–funded research reveals what’s happening beneath the surface when focus slips. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Rice-led research by Eden King and Nicola Lawrence-Thomas, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, finds early-career motherhood leads to lasting wage penalties, while delaying motherhood pays off. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Rice research by Rebecca Brossoit and grad student Destiny Castro finds financial stress follows workers to bed, reducing sleep quality and impacting daytime functioning. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Social Science students are building a “toxic waste” archive documenting how contamination reshaped Houston’s Fifth Ward and preserving community voices for environmental justice. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture.

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The Fall 2025 Social Sciences newsletter is here! Check it out: riceconnect.rice.edu/emailviewonw... #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

Celebrating Jan West ’73—psychology alumna, trailblazer, and advocate for diversity—for 36 years of service and impact at Rice University. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Rice celebrated the life and legacy of longtime professor Bob Stein. In his honor, the Robert M. Stein Fund for Social Policy Research will continue his mission of civic engagement and community impact. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Check out the Fall 2025 professional master's newsletter, which includes insights and updates on MSPE students, faculty, and alumni: riceconnect.rice.edu/emailviewonw... #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

Congratulations to Dr. Margaret Beier, Rice Psychology chair, on being honored with Georgia Tech’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award! #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

cos.gatech.edu/news/college...

This fall, we welcome nine new tenure-track faculty across six departments! Their expertise strengthens our mission to tackle society’s greatest challenges through research, teaching, and policy. Welcome to Rice Social Sciences!

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At Rice’s Global Paris Center, neuroscience goes beyond the classroom. Students explored emotion and cognition through museums, hospitals, and jazz clubs — connecting brain science to life in Paris. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

news.rice.edu/news/2025/ri...

Bipartisan Senate price transparency bill can fix US health care The Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, introduced by Sens. Roger Marshall and John Hickenlooper, would provide upfront price information to patients and employers, helping to reduce health care costs…

Vivian Ho in The Hill: Rice University's Vivian Ho backs the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, requiring hospitals and insurers to publish upfront care costs. She says transparency is key to lowering costs, empowering patients, and boosting equity. #RiceSocSci

thehill.com/opinion/heal...

Rice Social Sciences mourns the loss of Bob Stein, longtime political science professor and civic leader. For 46 years, he shaped policy, mentored students, and served Houston with insight and dedication.

news.rice.edu/news/2025/ri...

Jessica Ngo, Rice MGA ’26, has been named a Next-Gen Leader for Southeast Asia by Temasek Foundation & NUS’s Lee Kuan Yew School. A longtime Houstonian and public policy expert, she brings deep global insight to Rice and beyond. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

socialsciences.rice.edu/news/rice-ma...

Rice anthropologists Howe and Boyer highlight the human impact of glacier loss in Science, urging cultural and collective action. Explore their work at ggcl.rice.edu.

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We Belong Here, the new book by Rice’s Shani Adia Evans, explores how Black Portlanders navigate gentrification and White spacemaking. Out now from Chicago Press. #RiceSocSchi #ShapingTheFuture

Spring at Rice Social Sciences brought new research centers, global student learning & major faculty honors. See what we’ve been up to: riceconnect.rice.edu/emailviewonw... #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

Thomas Benford ’00 (Econ & CAAM) and Jan West ’73 (Psych) received Rice’s Distinguished Alumni Award for their leadership, service, and lasting impact on the university and beyond. Congratulations! #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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YouTube video by Rice University School of Social Sciences Letters to Our Graduating Owls From Their Families

As the year ends, we honor the strength and stories behind every Rice grad. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey. We can't wait to see what you'll do. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

youtu.be/olbgVAN6Js8?...

Rice’s CAAAS co-hosted the 2025 African Development Forum, spotlighting community-led innovation and African scholarship through design sprints, keynotes, and collaborative action. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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At Rice, SPILL—a documentary play on the Deepwater Horizon disaster—sparked reflection. Gökçe Günel joined a panel on fossil fuels, climate change, and art’s role in remembrance. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

Learn More: news.rice.edu/news/2025/em...

Rice Anthropologist Dominic Boyer wins 2025 Guggenheim Fellowship to complete Electric Futures, a global study on electrification and justice. A major honor in energy humanities! #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Rice University’s new Center for Computational Insights on Inequality and Society (CIISR), led by Fred Oswald (Psychological Sciences) and Elizabeth Roberto (Sociology), tackles societal challenges using data and computation. Learn more: ciisr.rice.edu

Rice has launched the Institute of Health Resilience and Innovation, led by Chris Fagundes, Tony Brown, and Kristi English, to study health stressors and develop solutions for diverse communities. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Congratulations to Roselyn Ovalle, Rice’s newest Watson Fellow! She will spend a year abroad studying how survivors of gender-based violence navigate legal, health, and social systems. #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture

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Rice political science alumnus Ryan Levy ’97 and Nice Winery made history, winning Top All-Around Winery at the 2025 Houston Rodeo Wine Competition and breaking records with 20 awards! #RiceSocSci

news.rice.edu/news/2025/ri...

YouTube video by Rice University From Garage to Greatness: Tyler Strothman's Journey with Veloci Running Shoes

Tyler Strothman ’25 turned his passion for sports into Veloci, a running shoe company designed for performance and comfort. Learn how Rice Sport Management helped him navigate entrepreneurship and the business of sports.

Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATF5...

Fewer Texans identify with Christianity, new study shows New research from the Pew Research Center shows surprising shifts in the way Christians in Texas (and nationwide) are practicing their religion.

Rice experts analyze Pew’s religion study: Craig Considine ties declining faith to reduced civic life, Elaine Ecklund sees politics shaping belief, and Mark Jones highlights religiosity over identity in Texas politics. Religion’s role is shifting. #RiceSocSci

www.chron.com/culture/reli...

How rising health care denials are disrupting American lives The increasing number of stories about patients impacted by denied coverage has fueled growing public anger over insurers. Despite numerous headlines highlighting the rise in claim denials, the fragme...

Vivian Ho, Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute & Economics Professor, was interviewed by CNBC on rising public anger over denied insurance coverage. Her interview starts at 09:45. Watch here: cnbc.com/video/2025/0... #RiceSocSci #ShapingTheFuture