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COSSA Running “Why Social Science” Series Spotlighting Research on Gun Violence

Friends, The statistics surrounding gun violence in America are staggering and the policy solutions varied. Recent tragedies in Uvalde, TX and at a grocery store in my hometown of Buffalo, NY—not to mention the countless other shootings that have occurred since then—underscore just how pervasive this crisis is, regardless of where you live. The institutions long-considered “safe spaces”—schools, hospitals, houses of worship—are no longer safe from the scourge of gun violence. Mass shooting events are just one piece of this social and public health crisis. Everyday across the country families and communities are being rocked by gun violence, from suicide…

National Academies Release New Report on Ontologies in the Behavioral Sciences

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has released a new consensus study report titled Ontologies in the Behavioral Sciences: Accelerating Research and the Spread of Knowledge. The report offers a description of ontologies, or frameworks for organizing existing knowledge, and ways they can be used to support behavioral science. In addition, the report offers several recommendations for science stakeholders to best use ontologies to advance behavioral science research, including federal agencies and professional organizations. Some of these recommendations include: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) should create agendas for advancing behavioral science…

Headlines Moving to Quarterly Schedule

COSSA is Hiring

NCFR President Norma J. Bond Burgess Answers “Why Social Science?”

COSSA Seeks Assistant Director of Government Relations

The Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) is seeking to fill one position for Assistant Director of Government Relations. The desired candidate will have at least three (3) to five (5) years of professional advocacy, policy or related experience. Previous lobbying experience or experience working on Capitol Hill is preferred. Interested applicants should check the listing here.

May Headlines to Feature Deep Dive on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Science

Participants Reflect on Social Science Advocacy Day to Answer “Why Social Science?”

The latest Why Social Science? guest post comes from three participants from this year’s Social Science Advocacy Day who reflect upon their advocacy experiences and the importance of advocating for the social sciences.

April Headlines to Feature Recap of Social Science News

Recap of COSSA’s 2022 Social Science Advocacy Day

It is not too late to get in on the action. Check out COSSA’s Action Alert and send a quick note to your elected officials today to voice your support for federal science agencies that advance the social and behavioral sciences.

Today is Social Science Advocacy Day! Learn How You Can Participate

Today, COSSA is holding its 2022 Social Science Advocacy Day, a members-only annual event bringing together social and behavioral scientists from across the country to meet with Members of Congress and their staff to advocate for increased funding for federal agencies and programs important the research community. This year, 70 individuals from COSSA member organizations will participate virtually in about 90 meetings with policymakers and their staff in the House of Representatives and Senate. You can get in on the action by responding to COSSA’s Action Alert and sending a quick note to your elected officials to voice your support…

APA’s Corbin Evans Answers “Why Social Science?”

This week’s Why Social Science? post comes from Corbin Evans, Senior Director of Congressional and Federal Relations at the American Psychological Association, who writes about human behavior and its relationship to the changing climate.

Last Chance to Join us for Social Science Advocacy Day!

COSSA’s annual Social Science Advocacy is only two weeks away! There is still time to sign up to be part of the only annual, coordinated advocacy day in support of all disciplines of social and behavioral science. The first round of prep webinars begins on Wednesday, March 16. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, registration this year is only $25. We have 50+ advocates and counting, so don’t wait to reserve your spot. More information is available on the COSSA website. Register today!

March Headlines to Feature Deep Dive on Virtual Advocacy

Smithsonian Ambassador-at-Large Richard Kurin Answers “Why Social Science?”

The latest Why Social Science? guest post comes from Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar & Ambassador at Large at the Smithsonian Institution, who writes about the role social science plays in protecting and preserving cultural heritage.

Registration Opens for COSSA’s 2022 Social Science Advocacy Day

COSSA members are invited to register for COSSA’s 2022 virtual Social Science Advocacy Day on March 29. Social Science Advocacy Day is the only annual, coordinated advocacy day in support of all of the social and behavioral sciences. The event brings together social scientists and other science advocates from across the country to engage with policymakers. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, the registration fee for Advocacy Day is only $25, but spots are limited, so register soon. Sponsors help COSSA to defray the costs of our Advocacy Day, while providing organizations with additional visibility among colleagues in the social and…

February Headlines to Feature Deep Dive on Preserving Cultural Heritage

February’s COSSA Headlines webinar will feature a deep dive discussion with anthropologist Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Institution Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, who will share information about his work preserving cultural heritage. COSSA members should watch for an email on Thursday, February 4 with details on how to register (sign up for members-only emails here). Information on how to register will be posted to this page.

SSRC President Anna Harvey Answers “Why Social Science?”

The latest Why Social Science? guest post comes from Anna Harvey, President of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), who writes about a new SSRC initiative to combat health mis- and disinformation.

2021 By the Numbers

As we close the books on COSSA’s 40th year, we are continually reminded of the perseverance of the social and behavioral science community and the contributions our sciences make to real issues of the day. There has arguably never been a more important time for the social and behavioral sciences to inform and guide the work of our nation’s leaders. As the voice for social and behavioral science research in our nation’s capital, COSSA serves as a conduit between the research community and lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in Executive Branch agencies. We could not do our work without the…

“Why Social Science” Can Help Us Learn Self-Compassion

The latest Why Social Science? guest post comes from social psychologist Yuki Miyagawa of Otemon Gakuin University in Osaka, who writes about his research on learning self-compassion, which can help us become more resilient individuals.

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