Social sciences provide an analytical approach to society’s problems. As a result, faculty and students in the social sciences often focus on complex and intersectional issues such as racism, international conflict and war, climate change, and poverty. Through an objective and empirical approach to these issues, the goal is to generate genuine passion and equip future leaders with the skills they need to address the world’s challenges. Explore majors, minors, concentrations, and academic programs in the social sciences.
African Studies
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World-Class Faculty in the Social Sciences
Ashley Cordes
Assistant Professor of Indigenous Media in Environmental Studies and Data Science
Ashely Cordes is an academic expert in Indigenous data sovereignty, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Her research explores how Indigenous communities can leverage technological utilities—such as cryptocurrency and AI—for Tribal economic independence, representational and data sovereignty, and preservation of knowledge systems.
Neil O'Brian
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Neil O’Brian is an academic expert in U.S. politics focusing on public opinion, political parties, and polarization. His recent work has focused on how people’s perceptions of politics and current events affect their political attitudes. He’s recently published the book The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars (University of Chicago Press).
O’Brian is the second UO researcher to receive an Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. O’Brian is using the fellowship to further explore what he calls the “doctor’s project.” The start of this research began when he identified a partisan divide in the trust people have in their physicians; those on the political right expressed less trust in their doctors than those on the left. This is a recent phenomenon, as data showed no difference in trust in one’s doctor until a shift in 2020-21, during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. O’Brian argues the partisan divide over public health measures—such as masking and vaccines—led to less trust in the medicine industry.
Melissa Graboyes
Associate Professor of History, Global Health Program
Melissa Graboyes is a historian of modern Africa and a global health specialist whose research focuses primarily on medicine and science in the East African region.
Graboyes’ current research projects have been supported by major research funds. Her work on the history of malaria elimination on the African continent is funded by a five-year National Science Foundation CAREER award. A three-year collaborative research project on returning research results from social science disciplines to African participants—removing costly barriers to make findings more accessible—is funded with a three-year NSF award. She is also working on global health research at the local Eugene level through her project on aspects of care for people who inject drugs.
As a mentor, Graboyes works with undergraduate students in research groups. She leads the Global Health Research Group, which helps students gain skills and tools for conducting undergraduate research. The group consists of students interested in global health-related topics, as well as students majoring in a STEM field who are interested in ethics, history and the processes of science.
Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages
At the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages, UO students engage with diverse cultures, languages, histories, and lifeways across the world. Students of the social sciences, from Anthropology to Sociology, will broaden and deepen their education in their field by viewing it—and experiencing it—through a global lens. GSL prepares our graduates for life after college with an interdisciplinary curriculum, innovative language teaching, abundant learning opportunities outside the classroom, and paths of study that lead to many options for real-world careers.
Research in the Social Sciences
Research in the social sciences investigates human behavior and the motivations that influence it. Although some of our research occurs in the lab, much of it is conducted out in the field using a variety of methodological approaches, from exploratory to experimental. The results of our research often carry societal-level implications and may point to solutions for addressing local, national, or global challenges.
2024-2025 Sponsored Research in Social Sciences
Between July 2024 and June 2025, researchers in CAS received $83 million to fund 199 research projects, including approximately $6 million for Social Sciences. The research projects, which span divisions and fields of study, represent CAS's commitment to curiosity, discovery, and innovation.
Explore Other Majors and Minors in the College of Arts and Sciences
Meet Our Dean
Welcome to the social sciences division of the College of Arts and Sciences. Within our community, we address some of the world’s problems—big or small—through interdisciplinary research and critical thinking. What drives us is a passion for exploring human behavior and society.
The social sciences provide the necessary foundation for any academic inquiry, from the creative arts to the natural sciences. Inside the classroom, we lead courses that are engaging and thought-provoking, inspiring students to become better citizens of our world and work toward a more inclusive future.
We also believe real-world experience offers some of the most impactful learning opportunities. From internships to study abroad trips that offer new cultural experiences, our students regularly engage in hands-on learning work that reaches across social, disciplinary, and geographic boundaries, allowing them to forge new connections and spark new ideas.
We look forward to changing the world with you.
Bruce McGough
Divisional Associate Dean, Social Sciences
Happening at CAS
1:15–2:15 p.m.
GIS and the Makerspace is a three-session workshop covering the basics of map design in ArcGIS Pro to create a laser-cut map notebook and a keychain map of Oregon. The first session covers GIS concepts and map projections. The second session introduces Illustrator basics and formatting for the laser cutter. The third session is held in the Price Science Commons (PSC) Library's DeArmond Makerspace, where you will learn to use the laser cutter and assemble your book.
No experience with GIS or the Makerspace is assumed, and completion of this workshop will certify you to use the laser cutter for your own projects. This workshop is open to current UO students, faculty, and staff. Spots are limited: please only register if you plan to attend, and please cancel your registration if a conflict arises and you won't be able to attend.
2:00–3:30 p.m.
How can landscape architects orient themselves while working on Indigenous-led projects? Join Master of Landscape Architecture student Paras Bajaj as he shares his understanding of the Klamath watershed developed through interactions with members of various tribes and nations. Moving from the watershed scale to the Shasta Indian Nation lands that have re-emerged after the dam removal, Bajaj will discuss how cultural continuity can be aided through design and planning.
Bajaj is a landscape architecture graduate student from Northeast India hailing from the Brahmaputra Watershed, here in Oregon to learn from the Klamath movement. Their background as an architect and their field work on the Majuli island in India led to the simple but profound revelation of how architecture is a byproduct of the landscape when the communities are in close connection and relation with the lands and waters. Their work focuses on supporting cultural continuity through planning and design.
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Want to learn more about graduate school or different types of part-time/full-time jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, and careers in the health professions? The Health Grad & Career Expo is your chance to get curious about your present and future in healthcare! This expo is a mix of graduate schools excited to share more with you about their organization/program and early career talent and educational opportunities. Great for students exploring career paths as well as students ready to start applying for the year ahead.
FEATURING PROGRAMS IN: Audiology, Biomedical Sciences, Chiropractic, Dentistry, Gerontology, Health Services, Human Genetics, Kinesiology, Medical Doctor, Medical Science, Mental Health, Natural Medicine, Nursing/Nurse Practitioner, Nutritional Science, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Osteopathy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Podiatry, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology, Speech Therapy, Sports Medicine, Surgery, Veterinary, and more!
Register on Handshake today to learn about all the schools and organizations coming, positions of interest, and get tips and advice for how to make the most of the expo.
For more information, visit the Unviersity Career Center in Tykeson-Garden Level to learn more about how the UCC supports students applying to grad school through career coaching and document reviews! Also check out our NEW online career exploration resources around Health & Scientific Discovery!
1:00 p.m.
Please join us Wednesday afternoons for a free cup of coffee, pastries, and conversation with your history department community! We’re excited to continue this tradition for our history undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff. We hope to see you there!