School of Social Sciences Humanities and Arts

Image
Head shots of the three selected Hellman Fellows

UC Merced Announces 2026 Hellman Fellows

Key points Three UC Merced professors have been named 2026 Hellman Fellows, representing the university’s School of Engineering, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, and School of Natural Sciences. The fellowships will advance innovative research across three fields, from heat-responsive

Image
UC Merced students who will compete in Battle of the Brains pose for picture

UC Merced Gets Down to Business at HSI Battle of the Brains

Seven hand-chosen, whip-smart UC Merced students descend on Austin, Texas, this week to pit their teamwork and business skills against representatives of other Hispanic-serving institutions in a high-pressure — and potentially highly rewarding — competition. First, there’s the contest. Every team in

Image
Andres Arias standing in front of campus building

Study Highlights Hidden Labor Market Facing California’s Most Vulnerable Workers

When farmworkers decide conditions are so harsh they have to leave the fields, the story doesn’t end there — it moves to another corner of the labor market. UC Merced Sociology Ph.D. candidate Andrés Arias captures that in his article, “ ’It is worse in the fields:’ how racial capitalism disciplines

Image
Headshot of Hilly Rus and UC Merced campus entrance

Alumna Brings Behavioral Science to the Front Lines of Sleep Innovation

For Holly Rus, ’17, a passion for health psychology and real-world impact has led to a career at the forefront of consumer sleep research. She is head of scientific research at Sleep.ai, where she directs studies designed to improve health and wellness through better sleep. “I lead a team of

Image
Teddy Adams, Olivia Gawel, Adrianna Seiden, Bridget Sprecher and Taylor Whitney

UC Merced Ph.D. Students Receive ARCS Support for STEM Research

Five UC Merced doctoral students have earned prestigious awards from the Northern California Chapter of ARCS Foundation, joining a select group of scholars recognized for outstanding research. “Congratulations to this year’s ARCS Scholars. You are being recognized as outstanding scientists who are

Image
UC Merced students and Rufus mascot at Beginnings sculpture during Scholars Bridge Crossing

Big Smiles in Big Collection of New Bobcats at Scholars Bridge Crossing

A smiling throng of new faces took part Tuesday in one of UC Merced’s oldest traditions, the Scholars Bridge Crossing. Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and other campus leaders led the march over the bridge. Blue and gold balloons arced over the span, which was lined with cheering staff, faculty and

Image
Closeup of stone marker for townsite of Gold Rush town Agua Fria

Chancellor's Catalyst Awards Ignite Research in Humanities, Social Sciences

Digging for stories in a Gold Rush town that vanished in flames 170 years ago. Pinging brainwaves for reactions from sentences that slide between Spanish and English. Fortifying students’ skills and confidence with a practice called powerwriting. These ventures are among nearly a dozen UC Merced