New research shows sexual abuse unique risk factor for teenage pregnancy
Children who suffer childhood sexual abuse early are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, adolescent pregnancy, and teenage motherhood, according to new Penn State research.
The findings are important, because becoming a mother during adolescence can have consequences for not only the…
Why Social Science? - Because Social Science Can Have an Impact on Public Policy
By Peter B. Wood, Professor of Sociology and Criminology, Eastern Michigan University
Why Social Science? Because social science can—and should—have a real impact on public policy at the federal, state, and local levels. More than a decade ago, while serving as President of the Southern Criminal…
$6.3 million grant will fund video library of moms and babies at play
When toddlers play, there’s more going on than meets the eye. Play and other natural activities parents engage in help developing children build social, emotional and locomotor skills, among others.
To help tease apart these processes, a team of researchers led by Penn State and New York University…
University Libraries offers maps and geospatial info sessions for fall 2018
This fall, Penn State University Libraries will once again offer informational sessions relating to foundational map and geospatial topics.
Some sessions may be similar or build upon topics from previous offerings, but one new session this semester will introduce users to ArcGIS Pro, a…
Researchers can build supercomputing skills in fall training series
Penn State researchers looking to build their high-performance computing (HPC) skills can get both basic and intermediate training through a series of workshops hosted by the Institute for CyberScience (ICS) this fall. Each session is free but requires registration as seating is limited.
The four-…
Faculty invited to apply for Penn State Security Center Fellows Program
Penn State’s Center for Security Research and Education (CSRE) invites Penn State faculty to apply for the CSRE Faculty Fellows Program. The deadline for spring 2019 applications is Nov. 1.
The CSRE fellowship program provides fellows with the opportunity to propose and lead an interdisciplinary…
Disparities in education studies most read
Paul Morgan, director of the Center for Educational Disparities Research, has co-authored several studies that were the most read articles in two different publications.
Three of his team’s empirical studies were the most read articles published in Educational Researcher, one of the education field…
Security Center announces seed grant opportunities for Penn State researchers
The Center for Security Research and Education (CSRE) at Penn State is announcing its 2018-2019 Seed Grant Program to support security-related scholarship and educational programs at Penn State. University faculty and researchers are eligible to apply in the fall 2018 semester by Nov. 1, or in the…
Why Social Science? - Because It Can Challenge Conventional Wisdom
By Olugbenga Ajilore, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics, University of Toledo
Social science research provides evidence that helps us understand the drivers of social problems. A lot of times, this evidence is in contrast to the conventional wisdom and may on the face of it seem…
Officials raise Puerto Rico’s death toll from Hurricane Maria to nearly 3,000 people
By Aimee Cunningham
The Puerto Rican government has officially updated its tally of lives lost to Hurricane Maria to an estimated 2,975. That number, reported August 28 in a government-commissioned study by George Washington University in Washington D.C., dwarfs the island’s previous count…
"Translational Science in the Era of Big Data” to be held Sept. 6
The ability to work with and analyze large amounts of data for research is gaining in importance, especially involving the incorporation of electronic health records. Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute is planning for the future as it looks towards its renewal application for…
Morgan authors blog post for Psychology Today
Paul Morgan, director for the Center for Educational Disparities Research and professor of education and demography, authored a post for Psychology Today's blog "Children who struggle: Understanding and addressing educational disparities."
Using social media to solve social problems
Social scientist rely on data to study social problems, however data from traditional surveys can be difficult and time consuming to collect, as well as inaccurate since not all factors can be measured well. A National Science Foundation-funded Penn State project will evaluate the accuracy of using…
Self-control develops gradually in adolescent brain
Different parts of the brain mature at different times, which may help to explain impulsive behaviors in adolescence, suggest researchers from Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh.
The team discovered that the brain’s salience network, a group of regions that work together to help people…
Why Social Science? - Because It Helps Us Identify and Combat Misinformation
By Melanie C. Green, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University at Buffalo
To make good decisions, we need good information. Every day, people form opinions on health treatments, political policies, and consumer products. Social sciences help us understand how people can…
Well-being of 'left behind' children in Kyrgyzstan focus of study
Growing up can be hard no matter what a family's circumstances, but it is often more so for children living in the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia, one of the poorest countries in the world, known for its dry environment, high mountains, nomadic culture and animal-husbandry heritage.
Isolation,…
Death toll from Hurricane Maria estimated to be larger than previously thought
The number of people who died as a result of Hurricane Maria — which hit Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017 — may be as high as 1,139, surpassing the official death count of 64, according to researchers.
The researchers used official government records to calculate the number, which took into…
Improving the Use of Research Evidence in Policy: A Workshop for Faculty
Date: August 15th from 1:30-3:30pm
Location: 116 Biobehavioral Health Building (Zoom option is also available, see registration for details)
Please Register here
*Registration is required; Kindly register no later than Friday, August 10th
Scientists rarely receive formal training on ways to engage…
Why Social Science? - Because It Can Improve the Lives of City Residents
By David Yokum, J.D., Ph.D., Director, The Lab @ DC
There’s a movement underway to integrate scientific research into the everyday workings of government at all levels. Increasingly, research professionals are being called upon to roll up their sleeves and lend their advice, expertise, and…
Youth who age out of foster care show higher educational attainment
Children in foster care often suffer detrimental effects that can carry over into adulthood and infect future relationships. However, new Penn State research indicates youth who age out of foster care attain higher educational achievement than those who exit foster care and are reunited with their…
NIH guide notice on basic science studies involving human participants
The purpose of this notice is to describe interim policy flexibilities for a subset of NIH-funded studies whose primary purpose is the pursuit of basic science. These are studies that meet the NIH definition of a “clinical trial” and that also meet the Federal definition of basic science. …
Frankenberg participates on national panel about school integration
Erica Frankenberg, associate professor of education (educational leadership) and director of the Center for Education and Civil Rights at Penn State, was one of four panelists who will present "School Integration 2018," a briefing on past progress, present threats and future opportunities, that…
Advance feedback offered on strategic initiative seed grant funding proposals
Penn State community members, including faculty and staff, have been invited to submit ideas for pilot projects that are aimed at fulfilling the mission of the strategic plan to advance innovation, research, learning and engagement at the University and beyond. Proposals for the third cycle for RFP…
Penn State raises a record-setting $362.9 million during 2017-18 fiscal year
Penn State has had a banner year thanks to the support and contributions of so many in the Penn State family. Our alumni, donors, and friends are central to our reputation and success, and I know you take a great deal of pride in your University. As such, I wish to share a few of the key highlights…
CTSI StudyFinder survey
CTSI is conducting a survey to improve Studyfinder, their online recruitment platform.
This summary explains information about this research. You are urged to ask questions about anything that is unclear to you.
The purpose of this research is to learn about who is currently using the Penn State…