Dr. Douglas Downey’s research on inequality in education was covered by OSU News. Comparing the achievement gaps of disadvantaged students prior to kindergarten vs. after eighth grade shows schools are actually working to reduce inequality. “What this suggests is that the teachers and schools serving our disadvantaged children are probably doing much better than we think they are.” OSU News: https://news.osu.edu/schools-reduce-inequality-defying-the-conventional-wisdom/

Dr. Douglas Downey’s research on inequality in education was also covered by WOSU News. Doug spoke with Debbie Holmes and you can listen to the interview here: WOSU

Dr. Chris Knoester’s research finds that overall, sports remain a highly visible reminder that homophobia and transphobia persist regardless of the strides made by the LGBTQAI+ community. You can read the full article here on The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/sports-remain-hostile-territory-for-lgbtq-americans-157948

Lecturer Dr. Charlie LoFaso’s dissertation work (The Effect of Race, Place, and Time on Police Use of Force: How Legal Context Influences Legal Decision Making) was referenced in a landmark civil rights lawsuit filed on April 5th against the city of Rochester, the Rochester Police Department, police officers, and public officials. His work was also covered by local news outlet WHAM.

• ABC 13, WHAM article 1 here: https://13wham.com/news/local/class-action-lawsuit-seeks-federal-monitor-for-rochester-police-department
• ABC 13, WHAM article 2 here: https://13wham.com/news/local/author-of-study-in-sweeping-rpd-lawsuit-says-crime-not-race-is-factor-in-use-of-force

Student News

Doctoral candidate Jasmine Whiteside was recently named an ETHOS Fellow at the OSU Center for Ethics and Human Values. This is a certificate program that introduces participants to the values underlying Ohio State’s Shared Values Initiative and invites discussion of the significance and application of those values in their work. Participants must commit to advancing values-based efforts in their colleges, departments, or other units, by hosting discussions, events, or other projects. Completion of the program will result in a $500 fund and consultation from CEHV to initiate their projects.

Alumni News:

Alumni Dr. Adrianne Frech (PhD OSU Soc 2009) & Dr. Dmitry Tumin (PhD OSU Soc 2015), along with current graduate student Jake Tarrence released a paper in December that was covered by multiple news outlets. The authors found that Black patients with advanced heart failure were more likely to receive a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, later in their disease progression compared to white patients, ultimately resulting in worse health outcomes. Press release available here: https://showme.missouri.edu/2021/mu-study-finds-racial-inequality-within-heart-transplant-process/

Emeritus News:

Professor Emeritus Dr. Craig Jenkins’ research on floating gardens, Bangladesh’s historic farming system, was covered by OSU News. The research shows floating garden systems could offer a way forward in the fight against food insecurity in flood prone areas. OSU News article here.