Society

Society: Understanding Human Nature and Behavior

Ashley Ward

Ashley Ward is the climate integration and outreach associate for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments program, based out of the Department of Geography within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on identifying and increasing awareness of the health impacts from extreme climate events in the Carolinas.

graphic of a woman crossing a crosswalk and an autonomous vehicle "sensing" her as she walks past

graphic by Corina Cudebec

Ready, Set, Brake

While autonomous vehicles begin to appear on roadways, gaps in knowledge are blocking the way to their full integration. Researchers at UNC are asking the tough questions to ensure that the driverless car picking you up will be safe for passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike.

photo by Megan May

Erika Wilson

Erika Wilson is the Thomas Willis Lambeth Distinguished Professor in Public Policy within the UNC School of Law. Her research focuses on the ways in which laws and policies that don’t explicitly mention race are used to create, maintain, and perpetuate racial segregation and inequality, particularly in public schools.

An Unforgettable Experience

This week, UNC celebrates University Research Week — an annual campus-wide event packed with lectures, workshops, and undergraduate research stories designed to promote awareness of research opportunities at Carolina.

photo by Alyssa LaFaro

Barbara Sostaita

Barbara Sostaita is a PhD student in the Department of Religious Studies within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on how sanctuary is being reimagined in response to contemporary immigration issues.

photo by Alyssa LaFaro

Anita Brown-Graham

Anita Brown-Graham is a professor of public law and government within the UNC School of Government and director of the school's ncIMPACT initiative. Her research focuses on creating opportunities and removing barriers to work-based economic prospects, particularly for residents in distressed communities.

photo by Alyssa LaFaro

Elizabeth Frankenberg

Elizabeth Frankenberg is the director of the Carolina Population Center. Her research focuses on how individuals and families are affected by unexpected events, how they adapt to new circumstances, and the ways that interventions can help.

Shimul Melwani sits at a table and has a discussion with Angelica Leigh

photo by William Frasca

Finding Light in the Dark

Shimul Melwani examines factors of the “dark side” of emotion in the workplace: gossip, frenemies, negativity, bad news, and close-minded leaders. Where businesses may shy away, she often finds that embracing the complexity of human emotions does more good than harm.

photo by Alyssa LaFaro

Maya Weinberg

Senior Maya Weinberg is double-majoring in political science and Latin American studies within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on how climate change, globalization, and politics are shaping the next generation of corn farmers in the Central Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico.

photo by Alyssa LaFaro

The Modern Family

As the world changes and diversifies, so do family dynamics. But research on the topic is slow to move away from the ideas established 50 years ago. To bring it into the 21^st century, a team of researchers from the UNC Center for Developmental Science have written nine papers that shine a light on the modern family and offer advice for parents on how to help their teens navigate today’s multicultural world.