Social Sciences

Farmers and pastoralists in a maize growing regions of Eastern Kenya.

Global warming increases risk of civil war in Africa, Stanford researchers say

Historical records show that in warmer-than-average years, the number of conflicts rises. The researchers predict that by 2030, Africa could see a greater than 50 percent increase in civil wars.  Video


Robert Sapolsky

Stanford's Robert Sapolsky: 'Depression is like the worst disease you can get'

Depression must be understood on both a biological and psychological level, says Robert Sapolsky.  Video


Reenactment of fall of the Berlin Wall

Remembering the day the Berlin Wall fell

A replica of the Berlin Wall was erected and knocked down in Stanford's White Plaza on Monday, the 20th anniversary of the wall's destruction.


Paul Ehrlich

Stanford's Paul Ehrlich wins environmental award in Spain

Paul Ehrlich, professor of ecology, is in Barcelona to receive the Margalef Prize for lifetime achievement in Ecology and Environmental Sciences.  Video


Center for race and ethnicity studies gets new top director, 13 fellows

A new executive director and 13 fellows join the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity this academic year.


Ballot

Stanford center leads discussion on retooling California constitution

A new poll shows California voters want constitutional reform as Stanford's Bill Lane Center for the American West examines how to redraw the state's governing blueprints.


David DeGusta

Stanford researcher fits pieces in human evolutionary puzzle

Paleoanthropologist David DeGusta's analysis of 4-million-year-old fossils helps explain how human ancestors came down from the trees and began walking.


Q&A: Stanford’s David Holloway on Obama’s missile defense plan

Stanford researchers played a role in the Obama administration’s move to pull a planned missile defense system from Poland and the Czech Republic.


Futurity, an online outlet for research news, is launched by Stanford and other leading universities

Stanford helps create a website for bringing research news directly to the public.


Stanford Africa expert to work for National Security Council

Another Stanford scholar heads to the White House.


Food and Politics class

Stanford class mixes cooking and eating with politics

Turning a campus kitchen into a classroom, Stanford Professor Rob Reich gets his students to think about food as something more than just what shows up on their plates.  Video


Researcher Eyal Ophir with student

Media multitaskers pay mental price, Stanford study shows

Think you can talk on the phone, send an instant message and read your e-mail all at once? Stanford researchers say even trying may impair your cognitive control.  Video


Psychology Prof. Jay McClelland wins $100,000 Rumelhart prize

"The effort to understand the mind and brain presents one of the most exciting challenges in all of science,” said McClelland, who received the award for his contribution to the theoretical foundations of human cognition.


Lefty or Righty? A new hold on how we think

Stanford research in psychology says handedness affects our decisions.


Zimbardo’s foundation gives hope to Sicilian students

Renowned psychologist rediscovers his grandparents’ village—and decides its kids need a better future   Video