UChicago Social Sciences

10/13/2026

Now an Asst. Prof. at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Liang Cai, AM'18 (MAPSS), PhD'26 Sociology, developed a multidisciplinary approach during his time at UChicago – drawing inspiration from economic theories, early urban sociology movements, and even video games.

Cai's profile is the first in a series we're running in autumn quarter, catching up with recent alums as they embark upon academic careers.

Read more:
https://ow.ly/bvaN50ZXfVN

10/09/2026

Join us, Oct 19-23, for our Social Sciences Virtual Open House – a week of virtual events where you can learn more about our graduate program offerings, what it's like to be a student at UChicago, and more!

Learn more and RSVP here:
https://ow.ly/4LNC50ZWqQ5

10/06/2026

Prof. Susan Burns' latest book 'Mapping Medical Modernity' traces the history of medical modernization and public health in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Tokyo, exploring the tensions between doctors and policymakers, police and civil officials, and residents and those who governed them.

Learn more in our latest faculty book profile:
https://ow.ly/z1Vz50ZV8Mp

09/30/2026

In a new op-ed for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Michael Albertus explores a major shift as actors on the international stage vie for increased control of maritime territory and resources.

Read more:

Over the last half millennium, societies around the globe competed to divide up the world’s land. Nearly every square inch of soil outside Antarctica is now owned and tucked within national borders. But the oceans have largely been spared that fate. There were times throughout history when countri...

09/29/2026

Interested in pursuing a master's degree in the social sciences? Our MA Applications are now open!

Learn more:
https://ow.ly/201150ZSS2I

09/21/2026

On Wednesday October 7, 2026, join us for a discussion of the Declaration of Independence, and why it still matters for modern democracy.

The first in a series of quarterly conversations about seminal Democratic Texts, this event's panel features The University of Chicago Institute of Politics' John Kirby, Steven Inskeep of NPR, The University of Chicago Law School's Alison LaCroix, UChicago Division of the Arts and Humanities' Eric Slauter, and SSD's Steven Pincus

Learn more and register here:
https://events.uchicago.edu/event/273047-the-declaration-of-independence-1776-why-it-still

09/17/2026

Season 2 of our alumni podcast 'Dialogo' has come to a close! In our final episode of the season, our hosts Prof. and Deputy Dean Paul Poast and Dean of Students Kelly Po***ck interview Jeanne-Mey Sun, PhD'99 (Economics). Sun discusses her time as an Economics PhD student at Chicago as well as her pivot into the private industry world from consulting, to foodservice logistics, to energy – and now the principal of her own firm.

Listen here (and available wherever you get your podcasts!):
https://dialogo-uchicago-social-sciences.simplecast.com/episodes/jeanne-mey-sun-phd99-economics

09/15/2026

Congratulations to our SSD faculty member, PhD student, and alum who recently won APSA Section awards!

09/14/2026

The September The University of Chicago College study-abroad course 'Sydney: Colonization, Health, and the Environment' just wrapped up! Check out what students were up to in the third and final week, on 'Managing Human Health, Sanitation, & Mobility in a Pacific World Seaport.'

Learn more about the course: https://study-abroad.uchicago.edu/sydney-colonization-health-and-environment-september-course

09/10/2026

Our latest faculty book profile focuses on Prof. Robert Pape's upcoming book 'Our Own Worst Enemies," in which he illustrates just how normalized political violence has become in the U.S. and why we need to act fast to turn things around.

Read more:
https://socialsciences.uchicago.edu/news/why-normalization-political-violence-changes-everything