Social Justice & Community

  • US Aims to Abolish Birthright Citizenship: Italy Already Knows the Consequences

    US Aims to Abolish Birthright Citizenship: Italy Already Knows the Consequences

    Associate Professor of Sociology Camilla Hawthorne coauthored an opinion article arguing that Italy’s upcoming popular referendum on citizenship offers important lessons for the birthright citizenship debate in the United States.

  • How Real ID Excludes Real Americans

    How Real ID Excludes Real Americans

    Catherine S. Ramírez, professor of Latin American and Latino Studies wrote about the challenges many Americans face in getting Real ID’s, especially for those who have changed their names at some point in their lives.

  • Data Shows Racial Disparities in Toxic Cleanup Times in SF

    Data Shows Racial Disparities in Toxic Cleanup Times in SF

    “There are many reasons why these disparities could be, but the fact that they exist means regulatory agencies should take social vulnerability and race into account when prioritizing which sites to clean up first,” said Lindsey Dillon, associate professor of sociology at UC Santa Cruz, who is part of a research group that advises the…

  • In the Medical System, the Concept of General ‘Safety’ Can Be a Pretext to Harm Pregnant Women

    In the Medical System, the Concept of General ‘Safety’ Can Be a Pretext to Harm Pregnant Women

    Existing in a police state where cops are embedded in hospitals or sicced onto people experiencing mental health crises “produces premature death,” says Carlos Martinez, a public health researcher and assistant professor at UC Santa Cruz. 

  • ¿Cómo la falta de trabajadores del campo podría impactar la economía local?

    ¿Cómo la falta de trabajadores del campo podría impactar la economía local?

    Associate Professor of Sociology Juan Pedroza discussed the economic impacts of immigration policies that are causing some farmworkers to fear going to work. “La economía está en un estatus frágil y menos trabajadores significa menos cosecha y más riesgo, no solamente para los que están trabajando, sino para todos nosotros que necesitamos las cosechas para…

  • SF nonprofits feel the squeeze in second Trump term

    SF nonprofits feel the squeeze in second Trump term

    During Trump’s first term, “rage giving” was an outlet for dissent. Sociology Professor Juan Pedroza used IRS data to show how organizations providing legal aid to immigrants grew their financial resources significantly between 2016 and 2019.

  • Starved in jail

    Starved in jail

    Distinguished Professor of Psychology Craig Haney says that when incarcerated people with mental health issues stop eating or drinking, jails should respond swiftly. “It’s a crisis that requires moving someone immediately out of solitary confinement, or out of a traditional jail setting, and into a psychiatric facility, for close clinical care and observation.”

  • Uber and Lyft’s Appeal in California Labor Case Won’t Be Heard by Supreme Court

    Uber and Lyft’s Appeal in California Labor Case Won’t Be Heard by Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court's decision to kick a case on pay and benefits for gig workers back to state courts means there’s a continuing lack of clarity, according to UC Santa Cruz Sociology Professor Steve McKay, who directs the university’s Center for Labor and Community. “When we have a system where employers pay for a lot…

Last modified: Sep 24, 2025