Policy & Society

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in Baltimore Magazine

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“Martin O’Malley is on the short list of Democratic presidential contenders. Can he win?” So reads a headline in this month’s Baltimore Magazine, which delves into O’Malley’s political background and aspirations, personality and reputation. Donald Norris, professor and chair of public policy at UMBC, comments in the article on O’Malley’s experience. “He has a lot going for him as a potential candidate,” says Norris. “He’s run a city government, a state government, and managed to balance the budget every year. He came into office [as governor] at the start of the recession, balanced the budget, and at the same time,… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in Baltimore Magazine

Ellen Handler Spitz, Honors College, Travels to Appalachia

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Ellen Handler Spitz, honors college professor of visual arts, recently spent several days in southern Appalachia as part of a program at the University of the South sponsored by the Yale University School of Medicine and Scholastic Books. During her visit, Spitz spoke on “Reflections on Children’s Cultural Lives.” Spitz’s lecture was the third event in the annual Easter semester lecture series presented by Community Engaged Learning, the University of the South’s academic community engagement program. This annual series features a range of speakers from all over the world. Speakers address a variety of topics of concern for people living… Continue Reading Ellen Handler Spitz, Honors College, Travels to Appalachia

Robert Provine, Psychology, to Give Goddard Scientific Colloquium (4/5)

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At 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5, Robert Provine, professor of psychology, will discuss “Curious Behavior” and his concept of “small science” at the Goddard Space Flight Center. This talk, part of the Goddard Scientific Colloquium series, will be Provine’s 4th colloquium at Goddard. The talk will be held in the Building 3 (Goett) auditorium. Access to the Goddard Space Flight Center is limited to those holding Goddard badges or official visitors; if you would like to attend, contact Scientific Colloquium at (301) 286-0660 or by e-mail more than 48 hours beforehand.

Robert Provine, Psychology, to Speak at “Science Cafe”

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Robert Provine, professor of psychology, will lead a discussion at the DC Science Café on May 21.  The DC Science Café, which is sponsored by the DC Science Writers Association, aims to give the general public an opportunity to participate in lively and important discussions about the consequential scientific discoveries and issues of our times. The discussion will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Busboys and Poets’ 5th and K St., NW location. Provine’s discussion will focus on “Curious Behavior,” the subject of his book “Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond.” A flyer for the event is below.

Robert Provine, Psychology, Judges “Brain Bee”

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Robert Provine, professor of psychology, was a keynote speaker and judge at the U.S. finals of the Fifth Annual International Brain Bee on March 2 and 3.  This is the second time that Provine has spoken at and judged this event. The topic of his talk was “Curious Behavior,” and was based on his book “Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond.” The International Brain Bee is an annual competition about knowledge of neuroscience for high school students sponsored by the Society for Neuroscience. Thousands of students from around the world participate. Forty-seven US regional finalists, from as far as… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, Judges “Brain Bee”

Laura Hussey, Political Science, in the Gazette

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The Gazette reports that following Congressional reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Frederick’s Heartly House will be able to continue providing counseling services for victims of domestic abuse without worrying about major program cuts. Heartly House receives about $30,000 in federal funding under the law each year. House Republicans had resisted reauthorizing the legislation because it expands coverage to new groups. UMBC assistant professor of political science Laura Hussey told the Gazette that blocking VAWA put House Republicans in a tough position. Although some stated that they opposed VAWA because they want to curb federal spending and involvement… Continue Reading Laura Hussey, Political Science, in the Gazette

Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in the Washington Post

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A new Washington Post poll, published this weekend, explores Marylanders’ views on Governor Martin O’Malley in the context of a potential future run for president. O’Malley received mediocre marks in some areas of the poll, which the authors note could be due to his work on polarizing issues, including same-sex marriage. “He’s taken some very gutsy positions on some controversial issues,” said UMBC political science professor Thomas F. Schaller. “My suspicion is that’s poisoned the well and brought him down some.” read the full article at the Washington Post.

Roy T. Meyers, Political Science, in USA Today

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A new USA Today article exploring the impacts of sequestration suggests federal budget cuts designed to save $85 billion in the short term might end up costing the government more money in the future through lower tax revenue, increased unemployment, contract terminations, and deferred maintenance on warships and airplanes. UMBC political science professor Roy T. Meyers, a former Congressional budget analyst, adds, “It makes it less likely that some contractors will want to supply services into the federal government, and in the future they’re going to charge a risk premium.” Meyers further argues, “We’ve been paying this cost of sequester… Continue Reading Roy T. Meyers, Political Science, in USA Today

Richard Bissell, Emergency Health Services, in the Baltimore Sun

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On March 27th, Dominick Tolli of the American Red Cross visited UMBC to discuss four revolutionary mobile apps his team created to better serve people impacted by natural disasters and other emergencies. When Superstorm Sandy hit, tens of thousands of people accessed the apps for information on storm conditions, available shelters, first aid and even gasoline pick-up sites. The Baltimore Sun reported on the event, organized by Richard Bissell of the Emergency Health Services Dept., who serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of the American Red Cross. Bissell commented that the app developers “are helping move the Red Cross into… Continue Reading Richard Bissell, Emergency Health Services, in the Baltimore Sun

Sunil Dasgupta, Political Science, on East Asia Forum

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Sunil Dasgupta, director of UMBC’s political science program at the Universities at Shady Grove and non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, has published a new East Asia Forum commentary on India’s potential responses to civil war in Pakistan. Dasgupta writes: In 1971, India intervened militarily on behalf of Bengalis in the civil war in East Pakistan, dividing the country in two and helping to create Bangladesh. In 2013, prospects of another civil war in Pakistan — this time one that pits radical Islamists against the secular but authoritarian military — have led once again to questions about what India… Continue Reading Sunil Dasgupta, Political Science, on East Asia Forum

James Grubb, History, Receives USM Regents’ Faculty Award for Teaching

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James Grubb, professor of history, is the recipient of a 2013 USM Regents’ Faculty Award for Teaching. Regents’ Faculty Awards publicly recognize distinguished performance on the part of faculty members. This award is the highest honor presented by the Board of Regents to exemplary faculty members. The awardees are selected by the Council of University System Faculty and submitted to the Board of Regents for approval. Teaching awards are given to faculty who have have demonstrated accomplishments in areas such as course development and pedagogy, faculty development, mentorship of faculty, direction of student research projects, and leadership in teaching improvement.… Continue Reading James Grubb, History, Receives USM Regents’ Faculty Award for Teaching

Robert Provine, Psychology, in the Globe and Mail

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Robert Provine, professor of psychology, is featured in a Globe and Mail story entitled “Why do Oscar Winners Cry Tears of Joy?” Provine pointed out that it is important to distinguish between two kinds of crying – vocal crying, typical of a newborn demanding to be fed, which is an ancient behaviour shared with other animals, and emotional crying, the tears of happiness or sadness, which is a recent evolutionary development exclusive to humans. “Only humans shed emotional tears,” he said. The story appeared online on February 22.

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