News and Notes

 

August 2009

These highlights related to the social, behavioral, and economic sciences at Michigan State University are brought to you by the Office of the Dean. For the latest news, visit our Web site at www.socialscience.msu.edu.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to share news of current research projects, publications, events, and awards. Call 517/432-0746 or send an email to Michelle Strobel.

AWARDS, HONORS, AND RECOGNITION

Congratulations to S. Alexandra Burt (psychology), who was presented with the Fuller and Scott Early Career Award by the at Behavior Genetics Association. The award was presented in June at the association's annual meeting in Minneapolis.

Peter Alegi (history), has been appointed a Fulbright Scholar at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, in South Africa for 2010. Alegi’s project explores “Sport and Leisure: Colonial and Post-colonial Transformations.” As part of the project, he will teach two newly developed history courses illustrating how African men and women cannot be written out of history.

Ed McGarrell (criminal justice) is a new fellow of the Academy of Experimental Criminology. McGarrell will be honored at the AEC's annual meeting in Philadelphia in November.

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

A conversation with Michigan state's climatologist Jeff Andresen

From MLive.com: Michigan State University's state climatolgist Jeff Andresen (geography) hosted his state climatologist colleagues from around the world at the American Association of State Climatologists annual meeting in Grand Rapids July 7-10. "Our goal is to look at the collection, analysis and dissemination of climate information, mainly back to the public," Andresen said.

Amazon conservation policy working in Brazil, study finds

From Science Daily: According to a new study led by Michigan State University researchers, contrary to common belief, Brazil's policy of protecting portions of the Amazonian forest from development is capable of buffering the Amazon from climate change. "The thought has been that if you deforest up to a certain point in the Amazon, the forest will completely lose the ability to recover its tropical vegetation — that you will basically convert it to a desert, especially in the south and southeastern margins of the basin," says Robert Walker, professor of geography and lead researcher on the project.

Despite increased danger, youth gang members still feel safe

From Science Daily: Children who join gangs feel safer despite a greater risk of being assaulted or killed, according to federally-funded research led by Michigan State University's criminologist Chris Melde (criminal justice). "Gang members essentially are not allowed to show fear and this can have a profound impact on adolescents. Their quest for acceptance, along with their immersion into this culture steeped in violence, may ultimately numb their reaction to violence, including their fear of victimization.” Melde says. The findings, which appear in the online edition of the journal Criminology, may help explain why youth continue to join street gangs despite the well-established danger.