News

Spendlove Prize Winner Brings Spirit of Ubuntu to UC Merced

November 14, 2024

Tsitsi Dangarembga spread the spirit of ubuntu over UC Merced on Wednesday night, imparting its message of “how we can be good people who live well together.” Dangarembga, a Zimbabwean filmmaker, writer and activist, is the 16th recipient of the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social...

Fellowship Draws UC Merced Alum Back to the Capitol

November 13, 2024

As one of UC Merced’s first students, Josue “Josh” Franco seized the chance to help shape student government for future scholars on campus; now he has grasped a new opportunity on Capitol Hill. The three-time alumnus (B.A. ’09, M.A. ’16, Ph.D. ’18) has been awarded the American Political Science...

3 New Majors Meet at Crossroads of Communication and Science

November 12, 2024

Information – how it is shaped, delivered and received – is a thread that runs through three dynamic new majors at UC Merced. Communication and media; neuroscience; and science, technology and ethics will be available to undergraduate students in the fall semester 2025. The majors are centered in...

The Co-benefits of Health and Health Systems for Democracy

November 8, 2024

Assistant Professor Anil Menon participated as a keynote on research at the intersection of health and politics to a global audience of policy makers and healthcare professionals on October 29, 2024. This keynote grew out of a policy memo Dr. Menon wrote for the World...

What it means if the GOP controls House, Senate, and White House

November 7, 2024

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Ballots are still being counted around the country in many tight races, but ABC News has projected Donald Trump will return to the White House and Republicans will take control of the Senate. The GOP could also retain control of the House of Representatives...

Study Finds Election-Related Stress & 'Incivility' Has Cost Employers $2 Billion A Day In Lost Productivity

November 6, 2024

If there’s one emotion we all associate with an election, it’s anxiety. We’re all eager to see our chosen candidate win and afraid of what will happen if they don’t. In a high stakes election like the 2024 presidential race, these emotions are only heightened. This,...

Receive a lot of campaign texts? This might be why

November 3, 2024

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – As the election gets even closer, a lot of us are receiving many text messages from candidates and campaigns about wanting our vote. “Irritated, very irritated,” voter Katie Tkac said. “It’s on TV, it’s on the radio, it...

Stressed Out by the Election? Political Scientists Explain Why and Offer Tips

November 1, 2024

If it seems anxiety around elections is at an all-time high, then political groups have done their jobs. "It's very conscious, it's very calculated," said UC Merced political science Professor Anil Menon, displaying a pile of negative campaign mailers during a panel discussion on campus Wednesday...

The Sad Citizen: If politics is making you depressed, you aren’t alone

October 30, 2024

UC Merced Assistant Professor Christopher Ojeda recently guested on Grief Journeys, a Philadelphia based G-Town radio program that focuses on stories of grief and loss. Professor Ojeda studies how citizens think about and engage with politics, with an interest in how poverty and...

Making Sense of the Election & Staying Well

October 28, 2024

Elections are stressful and confusing. Join the UC Merced Library, Political Science department, and Health Promotion for “Making Sense of the Election & Staying Well” on Wednesday, October 30th 3:30-4:30pm in KL 232. This panel, followed by a Q&A, highlights faculty...