humanities and social sciences

Mar 5, 2015

Study Upends Conventional Wisdom, Finds Significant Facial Variation in Pre-Columbian South America

Researchers have found significant differences in facial features between pre-Columbian peoples in Peru – disproving a longstanding perception that these groups were physically homogenous. 

Feb 19, 2015

Study: 25 Percent of Children Who Are Homeless Need Mental Health Services

A pilot study finds that 25 percent of children who are homeless are in need of mental health services -- highlighting the need for more support for the millions of homeless children in the United States. 

Feb 18, 2015

Brace Yourself: Study Finds People Can Use Different Strategies to Prepare for Stress

A pilot study finds that people are not consistent in how they prepare mentally to deal with arguments and other stressors, with each individual displaying a variety of coping behaviors. 

Jan 7, 2015

Higher Ed Leader Rosalind Fuse-Hall to Speak at NC State

Rosalind Fuse-Hall, president of Bennett College, will be giving the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Martin Luther King Lecture on “The Strength of Diversity.” 

Jan 5, 2015

Mezcal and Markets: One Battle in the War Over Mexico’s Agave Spirits

In 2011 and 2012, Mexico was the site of a battle over precisely how agave-based liquors could be branded or marketed. In the end, as outlined in a new paper in the journal Gastronomica, U.S. bartenders, retailers, and consumers played a key role in the debate – which raises some interesting questions about how to best protect local food customs and producers. 

Dec 16, 2014

Religion and Politics in Japan: A Conversation With Religion Scholar Levi McLaughlin

In the wake of Japan's recent national elections, we talk to scholar Levi McLaughlin about the role of religion in Japanese politics (and why no one talks about it). 

Dec 9, 2014

Online Students Give Instructors Higher Marks If They Think Instructors Are Men

A new study shows that college students in online courses give better evaluations to instructors they think are men – even when the instructor is actually a woman. 

Dec 3, 2014

The Gorilla in the Room: Inattentional Blindness Isn’t Blindness at All

Imagine being so engrossed in a task that you don’t notice a gorilla entering the room. (This actually happened in a famous psychological experiment.) The phenomenon is known as “inattentional blindness” and occurs when people are so focused on a task that they fail to notice unexpected events. But it turns out that inattentional blindness isn’t blindness at all. 

Dec 2, 2014

Nutrition, Safety Key To Consumer Acceptance of Nanotech, Genetic Modification In Foods

New research shows that the majority of consumers will accept the presence of nanotechnology or genetic modification technology in foods – but only if the technology enhances the nutrition or improves the safety of the food. 

Oct 27, 2014

The Science of Security: Project Explores Challenges Related to Intelligence Gathering

A multidisciplinary team of scholars at NC State is launching a new project with the goal of educating the public about national security – and possibly helping to develop a new generation of intelligence professionals. 

Oct 22, 2014

NC State Program Addresses Shortage of Mental Health Professionals

North Carolina State University’s Department of Social Work is launching a new workforce program to recruit and train graduate students for careers in mental health and substance abuse treatment. 

Oct 13, 2014

The Devil’s in the Details: More Research Needed to Address Synthetic Biology Security Concerns

A new paper examines security risks and policy questions related to the growing field of synthetic biology, highlighting significant gaps in our understanding of the nuts and bolts of lab work in synthetic biology that can contribute to security risks. 

Oct 1, 2014

Study Offers Insight Into Challenges College Athletes Face

A new study from NC State sheds light on how some collegiate student-athletes deal with uncertainties ranging from excelling in both school and sports to their career prospects outside of athletics, and urges university athletic programs to adopt new efforts to support student-athletes. 

Sep 11, 2014

Childhood Mentors Boost Career Success

Young people who have had mentors are more likely to find work early in their careers, putting them on a path to success. 

Sep 3, 2014

‘Family Meal’ Ideal Is Stressful, Impossible for Many Families

New research shows that home cooking and family meals place significant stresses on many families – and are simply impossible for others.