Society News from the Chronicles

group photo under oaks and pines with Spanish moss

Mellon Foundation adds $1 million to public humanities partnership

The Willson Center for Humanities and Arts has received a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation for a second phase of its public humanities partnership with the historic Penn Center on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. The grant-funded project, Culture and Community…
photo of yellow police tape at night scene

New study examines relationship between market integration, reductions in violence

A new study from the University of Georgia sociologists suggests countries with a stronger market orientation may experience lower rates of homicide. Market orientation and market integration refer to how freely a nation’s economy functions within a framework of legal rights and freedoms such as…
Photo of man smiling, sitting on a bench during daytime.

Charting a path to greater support through relationship science

Justin Lavner studies how evidence-based interventions can strengthen families and couples and improve everyday well-being. Over the course of his work, Lavner has become a leading voice in relationship science: “I’ve always been interested in understanding why people are the way they are,” said…
Photo showing laboratory research, hand with pipette holder.

UGA marks seventh consecutive year of R&D growth

The upward trajectory of research and development expenditures at the University of Georgia continues with a record-high figure for FY25.  The $654 million in related expenditures during fiscal year 2025, representing a 4.1% increase over the previous year, set a new set a research and…
Photo of man in research lab, holding small thin tube.

UGA names national science policy leader as next VP for research

David B. Berkowitz, an accomplished research administrator and nationally recognized science policy leader, has been selected to serve as next vice president for research at University of Georgia. Currently serving as assistant director of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Directorate for…