UArizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This weekend is the Tucson Festival of Books! The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is excited to feature several faculty who will speak as panelists and moderators, and participate in book signings. Check out their TFOB sessions! The Departments of Linguistics and Philosophy will also provide hands-on activities in Science City!

SBS Faculty to Join Lineup as Panelists and Moderators at Tucson Festival of Books 2026 SBS Faculty to Join Lineup as Panelists and Moderators at Tucson Festival of Books 2026 Feb. 24, 2026 Caroline Mattos Image The Tucson Festival of Books, founded in 2009, returns to the University of Arizona Mall on Mar. 14-15, continuing a campus tradition that draws readers and writers each year...

History students in the College of SBS partnered with the African American Museum of Southern Arizona to uncover overlooked stories of African American life in Southern Arizona—research that is now contributing to museum exhibits and expanding the historical record.

University of Arizona Department of History

Undergraduate research informs local African American historical exhibits One U of A history course partnered with the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, allowing undergraduate research to directly shape museum exhibits focused on African American history, culture and community in the region.

“Human dignity matters.”

That’s the foundation of Ufuoma Ovienmhada’s work on extreme heat and incarcerated people. She joins the School of Geography, Development & Environment this fall and will present her research on heat stress and prison infrastructure at the National Academy of Sciences Frontiers of Science symposium.

https://news.arizona.edu/news/u-heat-policy-experts-present-annual-frontiers-science-symposium

The University of Arizona University of Arizona School of Geography, Development & Environment

U of A heat policy experts to present at annual Frontiers of Science symposium The National Academy of Sciences event, designed to highlight the work of early-career scientists, will include a panel featuring Ufuoma Ovienmhada and her work on heat health in prisons. Ladd Keith, a heat governance policy expert, will present the panel introduction.

Selena Morales is building stronger connections between students and student government as an SBS Senator with the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.

From organizing the first SBS Club Fair to representing the university at the American Model United Nations in Chicago, she’s focused on advocacy and impact.

Read her Q&A.
https://bit.ly/4rAx8Pj

The University of Arizona School of Government & Public Policy Associated Students of the University of Arizona

Turning Student Voices into Action: College of SBS Senator Selena Morales Turning Student Voices into Action: College of SBS Senator Selena Morales Jan. 12, 2026 Caroline Mattos Image Student leadership takes many forms, but for Selena Morales, a junior majoring in political science, it means creating meaningful connections between students and the systems that represent....

Erin Heinz, an environmental sociologist and assistant professor of practice in the School of Sociology, studies the “paradoxes of sustainability” in desert cities. In her recent book, she uses Tucson as a lens to explore how communities in arid regions navigate growth, scarcity and competing visions of what sustainability really means.
The University of Arizona UofA Sociology
https://bit.ly/4qMpkc2

What began as honors research became a children’s book.

Senior Anusha Sharma, a global studies major, transformed her thesis on culture, identity and migration into The Colors of My Journey, a story reflecting the experiences of immigrant and first-generation children balancing two worlds.
The University of Arizona School of Global Studies The University of Arizona W. A. Franke Honors College

Exploring Identity and Culture: Anusha Sharma’s SBS Research Journey Exploring Identity and Culture: Anusha Sharma’s SBS Research Journey Monday Caroline Mattos Image Honors student and senior Anusha Sharma didn’t set out to write a children’s book when she began her thesis research. A global studies major, who minors in psychology and South Asian Studies and ...

Check out the Winter 2026 issue of our research newsletter, SBS Impact. In this issue, we explore how SBS scholars examine the human experience—across time, disciplines and perspectives. From creative writing and philosophy to consciousness studies and historical research, our faculty work to understand how people think, create and make meaning. Together, we illuminate the human experience.
https://bit.ly/40jktUV

The University of Arizona University of Arizona Office of Research & Partnerships

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is proud to name Angela Castellino (’93, Communication) the 2026 SBS Alumna of the Year at the University of Arizona.

After a successful career at Microsoft and Oracle, Angela retired from tech to focus on mentoring — supporting University of Arizona students and early-career professionals across industries. She is committed to helping others build confidence, strengthen their voice and prepare for meaningful careers.

Her impact continues — on campus and beyond.

Arizona Alumni The University of Arizona

Angela Castellino Recognized for Leadership and Mentorship as SBS Alumna of the Year Angela Castellino Recognized for Leadership and Mentorship as SBS Alumna of the Year Feb. 5, 2026 Image On Feb. 13, the University of Arizona conferred Alumni of the Year awards on 19 accomplished graduates in recognition of their achievements, public service, advocacy for education, volunteerism, a...

Your gift can go twice as far today!
It’s Giving Day, and your support can be matched dollar for dollar across multiple SBS challenges — including the Student Completion Fund, the Innovation Circle Student Scholars Fund, and the Creative Writing Speakers Series. With generous donor matches, now is the moment to help SBS students finish strong and thrive.
Give today. Double your impact. Bear Down.

University of Arizona Giving Day February 11-12, 2026

Today is Giving Day — a special 24-hour opportunity to make a difference.
Join Wildcats everywhere in supporting the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the students working to understand and improve our world. Your gift fuels student research, hands-on learning, and faculty discoveries and provides funding for students’ academic needs. Make your impact today or tomorrow until noon! https://givingday.arizona.edu/giving-day/111602/department/111603

Together we can ensure the future is bright for The University of Arizona.
Arizona Alumni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B4CCbWi6Sw

Giving Day 2026 This Giving Day (Feb. 11 noon - Feb 12 noon), join the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences for 24 hours of giving, community, and impact! Whether you’re ...

Social movements, gender, and fashion shape politics in ways we don’t always expect. Lori Poloni-Staudinger reflects on her research journey, the role of social science in understanding today’s challenges, and what she loves most about The University of Arizona community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp5yTGEf78k
School of Government & Public Policy

SBS Connect: Lori Poloni-Staudinger Social scientists help us tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges—from climate change to inequality. Dean Lori Poloni-Staudinger shares how her researc...