New SSRI Faculty Affiliate program launches
Feb 16, 2023
We are inviting social and behavioral science faculty at Penn State to join the SSRI community through our new Faculty Affiliate Program. Being a Faculty Affiliate will connect you with SSRI, research opportunities, and other Affiliates. Read more about the full benefits of becoming an SSRI Faculty…
SSRI Annual Report now available
Jan 17, 2023
The Social Science Research Institute’s 2021-2022 SSRI Annual Report is now available in an easy to navigate digital format. It contains an overview the Institute’s research units and activities as well as articles that describe research emphasizing SSRI’s new Strategic Foci. SSRI provides…News Topics: SSRIAnnual Report
New strategic foci to guide SSRI
Dec 7, 2022
SSRI is announcing the adoption of five new Strategic Foci: Causes and Consequences of Inequality; Human Development and Behavior; Social and Environmental Determinants of Health; Innovative and Data Intensive Research Methods; and Individual and Community Impact. To read more, visit the SSRI…News Topics: SSRI
SSRI welcome event Sept. 21
Sep 1, 2022
Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) invites new social and biobehavioral faculty to meet SSRI faculty and affiliates and learn how SSRI can support their research on September 21, 3 – 5 p.m. at the Hintz Family Alumni Center. The outdoor ice-cream social will include a brief…News Topics: SSRISSRI cofunds
SSRI announces large pilot grants program
Nov 3, 2021
Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute invites proposals of up to $75,000 for innovative pilot research projects that contribute to SSRI’s strategic mission of fostering interdisciplinary research that addresses critical human and social problems at the local, national, and international…
McHale featured in Best and Worst Places to Raise a Family feature
Jun 15, 2021
SSRI Director Susan McHale is featured as an expert in WalletHub's 2021 Best and Worst Places to Raise a Family feature. Read McHale's insight and advice here.News Topics: SSRI
Three new SSRI funding opportunities now accepting proposals
Jan 14, 2021
Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute has announced a call for proposals for three grant programs. The COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Research Funding in Social and Behavioral Sciences RFP invites proposals to supplement ongoing, externally funded, interdisciplinary research projects to cover…
SSRI announces three new RFAs
Jan 10, 2021
The COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Research Funding in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Call for Proposals on Implementation Science, and Smart and Connected Health in Social Science Request for Pilot Grant Proposals have been developed with the goal of advancing SSRI’s strategic aims. Click on the…
SSRI Fall Gathering goes virtual
Nov 24, 2020
Faculty and staff from all of SSRI's units recently gathered together virtually to celebrate major accomplishments of the year and to announce staff awards. The “Above and Beyond Award” was given to Barbara Rigg, SSRI grants and contracts manager and director of the administrative core, and Mark…News Topics: SSRIFall Gathering
Social Science Research Institute Director Susan McHale to step down; Search for next SSRI director to commence
Jul 26, 2020
The Office of the Senior Vice President for Research announced on July 24 that Susan McHale will step down as the director of the Social Science Research Institute. She will continue to head the institute while a search for the next director is conducted. McHale has served as the SSRI director…News Topics: SSRI
Penn State stands out as 'exception' for team research collaboration
Mar 5, 2020
The faculty at Penn State may view their extensive interdisciplinary research collaborations as normal, but it turns out that Penn State’s successful culture of innovation through interdisciplinary collaborations is anything but normal. It is an exception. In December 2019, a research team led by…
Fall Gathering Basket Raffle/donations benefit local family
Dec 13, 2019
This year SSRI is sponsoring a family of four through Centre Safe Sponsorship. The donations received from the Fall Gathering totaled $566, enabling us to purchase gift cards and presents that each family member requested, including art supplies and a skateboard, drawing supplies, and LOL dolls for…
Morgan's research cited in report on using science and policy to advance health
Dec 13, 2019
Paul Morgan, director of the Center for Educational Disparities Research and PRI affiliate, and his research team's finding on disparities in disability identification are repeatedly cited in Vibrant and Healthy Kids, the new National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine report on using…
Mood of the Nation Poll examines gun control as case reaches Supreme Court
Dec 4, 2019
The Supreme Court’s decision on a New York City gun regulation could mean the first significant judicial action on gun reform in nearly a decade — at a time when the McCourtney Institute for Democracy’s Mood of the Nation Poll finds that a majority of Americans support stricter regulations for gun…
SSRI Fall Gathering 2019
Dec 1, 2019
Faculty and staff from all of SSRI's units recently gathered together at the Hintz Family Alumni Center to celebrate major accomplishments of the year and to announce staff awards. The “Above and Beyond Award” was given to Avery Urusow from the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Diane…
All the feels: Feeling loved in everyday life linked with improved well-being
Nov 26, 2019
Poets and songwriters may tend to focus their artistry on passion and romance, but it may be those unsung, brief feelings of love throughout the day that are connected with psychological well-being, according to a team of researchers led by two Penn State Institute for Computational and Data…
Progressive gender views may protect health of financially dependent men
Nov 26, 2019
As it becomes more common for women to be the breadwinner of their family, men’s health may be affected depending on their views on gender ideology, according to Penn State researchers. The researchers found that men who were financially dependent on their wives and who also had more traditional…
NIH Requests Public Comment on a Draft Policy for Data Management and Sharing and Supplemental Draft Guidance
Nov 26, 2019
NIH recently released a Draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing and supplemental draft guidance for public comment. The purpose of this draft policy and supplemental draft guidance is to promote effective and efficient data management and sharing that furthers NIH’s commitment to making…
The RISE Network: Towards a New Framework for University Interventions in Disasters
Nov 25, 2019
In the era of climate change—where the frequency of extreme weather and disaster events is increasing and social inequality magnifies their impact—universities are acting as first responders without being designed or organized to serve in this role. Immediately after major events such as Hurricane…
Why Social Science? - Because It Makes Informed Democracy Possible
Nov 19, 2019
By Rush D. Holt, Ph.D., CEO Emeritus, American Association for the Advancement of Science Einstein said famously, “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility.” It gives scientific optimists like me encouragement that great thinkers have concluded it is possible to understand the…
Personality traits may predict problems with problem-solving in older adults
Nov 19, 2019
People often blame poor genetics or lack of mental stimulation for cognitive decline with aging. While those can play a role, new research suggests that certain personality and temperament traits in older adults can cause personal problem-solving skills and can impact everyday cognitive functioning…
Symposium focuses on families and food, honors late colleague Leann Birch
Nov 19, 2019
The late Leann Birch, a former Penn State distinguished professor of human development and family studies and former director of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, was honored at the 27th Annual National Symposium on Family issues, held recently at…
SSRI cofund donates graduation gowns to alleviate financial burden for students
Nov 18, 2019
Graduation caps and gowns are an integral aspect of the traditional graduation process. However, for some students, purchasing a cap and gown can be a financial burden that impacts their ability to attend commencement. Now, thanks to a Penn State faculty member, students in need have an option to…News Topics: SSRI
Popular electronic cigarette may deliver nicotine more effectively than others
Nov 18, 2019
When it comes to nicotine delivery, not all electronic cigarettes are created equally, according to Penn State researchers. New research from Penn State College of Medicine shows that JUUL, a popular pod-based electronic cigarette, can deliver more nicotine at a faster rate than most other types of…
Conference explores role of institutions of higher education in extreme weather
Nov 15, 2019
As the number of extreme weather events associated to climate change continues to grow world-wide, it is becoming increasingly important that institutions of higher education reflect on their role both before and after catastrophic events. The “RISE CONFERENCE 2019: Transforming University…