Fall 2017/Winter 2018

John Cacioppo, Founder of Field of Social Neuroscience, awarded 2017 Phoenix Prize

Professor of Psychology John T. Cacioppo has made profound, career-long contributions to the fields of psychology and neuroscience. His work has shaped the direction of research and inquiry around the world and has led to a greater understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying social processes and the effects of social factors on biological processes. Because of these achievements, he is awarded the Phoenix Prize, the Division of the Social Sciences’ highest honor, in 2017. 


Social Sciences faculty inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

On Saturday, October 7, 2017, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences inducted two scholars were from the University of Chicago Division of the Social Sciences – Johnathan Lear, John U. Nef Distinguished Service Professor in the Committee on Social Thought and the Department of Philosophy, and Tara Zahra, a professor in the Department of History and the College.


Gift from Joyce Z. Greenberg, AB’52, supports Jewish Studies at UChicago

A gift from Joyce Z. Greenberg, AB’52, will support the expansion of Jewish Studies at the University of Chicago through the newly named Joyce Z. and Jacob Greenberg Center for Jewish Studies.


Announcing the Social Science Research Center (SSRC)

The Division of the Social Sciences has secured space for a new Social Science Research Center (SSRC) on the second floor of McGiffert House (just above the Seminary Co-op Bookstore and Plein Air Café). The facility, which will open later this fall, will provide nearly 6,000 square feet of state-of-the-art research space and facilities to enable faculty across the Division to develop and pursue new research ideas. 


Mark Bradley, Professor in the Department of History appointed Deputy Dean of Social Sciences

Mark Bradley, the Bernadotte E. Schmitt Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of History, has been appointed to the role of deputy dean for the Division. His appointment, which begins October 1, 2017, complements that of Kate Cagney, announced earlier this summer, and positions the division to cohesively address key opportunities and issues.


Kate Cagney, Professor in the Department of Sociology, appointed Deputy Dean of Social Sciences

Kate Cagney, Professor in the Department of Sociology, has been appointed Deputy Dean of the Division of the Social Sciences. As deputy dean, she will provide leadership on the division’s academic programming and planning, including undergraduate and graduate programs. She will also engage with divisional faculty and research partners across UChicago to facilitate new research initiatives.


Social Sciences celebrates summer MA, PhD graduates

Graduate students of the Division of the Social Sciences who earned their degrees during summer quarter participated in a warm celebration of their academic achievement on Friday, August 25 at Ida Noyes Hall. graduating students were addressed by accomplished alumni speakers at the inaugural Summer Degree Celebration.