News

The Role of Health and Health Systems in Shaping Political Engagement and Rebuilding Trust in Democratic Institutions

May 21, 2025

Congratulations to UC Merced Political Science Assistant Professor Anil Menon and coauthors Nolan M. Kavanagh, Michelle Falkenbach, Scott Greer, and Matthias Wismaron on their publication "The role of health and health systems in shaping political engagement and rebuilding trust...

Closing the Year with Connection: Political Science Students Gather for Bridges & Beyond

May 21, 2025

“Bridges & Beyond: A Political Science Gathering” was a productive way to mark the closing days of the 2024-25 academic year. The May 13 event was an opportunity for Political Science students, including recent graduates and those set to graduate that month, to hone...

UC Merced Graduates Encouraged to Embrace Every Moment

May 19, 2025

With cheers, hugs and leis, more than 1,500 UC Merced graduates received a celebratory sendoff to their bright futures as a prominent keynote speaker told them to make the most of the here and now. Hundreds of families and friends joined the graduates in three days of commencement ceremonies at the...

Personal crises reduce voter turnout-but can spur other political action, study suggests

May 2, 2025

“Political scientists have long studied the political consequences of personal crises, such as widowhood, unemployment, and home foreclosure. Typically, researchers examine one crisis at a time; however, growing up in a poor home, I knew that personal crises often co-occurred. So, I was...

Bobcat Comics: The Politics Of Pain

May 2, 2025

This comic illustrates how individual health can shape political thought and action. It examines how a chance decline in health can shape an individual’s perception of the world around them and in turn shape their political attitudes and behaviors. See the full comic HERE. It is...

Sociology Graduate Program Debuts Strongly in U.S. News Rankings

April 30, 2025

Only 10 years after it began, the Ph.D. program in UC Merced’s Department of Sociology made an impressive debut in U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings of graduate-level offerings. The Sociology graduate program tied for No. 64 nationally, sharing the position with UC Riverside, Temple...

Chemistry Ph.D. Student Wins Campus Grad Slam Top Prize, Advances to UC-wide Final

April 28, 2025

Adekunle “Kunle” Adewole isn’t a stranger to the spotlight, having grown up singing at family functions and performing in theater productions. He also has fervently watched “The Voice,” a singing reality competition television series, envisioning himself performing on stage. “’The Voice’ is part of...

UC Merced to Welcome Future Bobcats at Bobcat Day Celebration

April 16, 2025

UC Merced is excited to welcome admitted students, their families and friends for another unforgettable Bobcat Day. Set for Saturday, April 19, this annual open house promises a full day of engaging presentations, activities and a firsthand look at life as a Bobcat. Throughout the event, faculty,...

Climate Regulation’s Effects on Businesses and Public Support for Climate Action

April 14, 2025

Congratulations to UC Merced Political Science Assistant Professor Anil Menon and coauthors Iain Osgood and Katie Niseenon on their publication "Climate regulation’s effects on businesses and public support for climate action" in the Political Science Research...

Social Sciences Graduate Programs Shine in U.S. News Rankings

April 10, 2025

UC Merced’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts made a splash in the latest rankings of university graduate programs compiled by U.S. News and World Report. The university’s Political Science program ranked 52nd in the nation, tied with UC Riverside, Purdue University-West Lafayette...