News

Incentive program for teachers yields long-term student gains

John Sanford — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800

A teacher-incentive program in South Carolina has led to striking long-term benefits for students, including lower rates of felony arrest and reduced reliance on government assistance in early adulthood, a new study reports. Ozkan Eren, a professor of economics at UC Riverside, co-authored the study with colleagues at the University of Michigan and University of South Carolina.

No clear path for U.S. in Venezuela, Cuba, scholar says

John Sanford — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

With Venezuela in the thrall of U.S. oil demands and Cuba confronting massive fuel shortages due to an American blockade, the two countries face a more uncertain future than at any time since becoming close allies at the start of the 21st century.

UCR Orchestra to perform music inspired by American optimism, Welsh folk, and an operatic classic

J.D. Mathes — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Join the UCR Orchestra, conducted by Ruth Charloff, on January 31 at 8 p.m. and February 1 at 3 p.m. in the University Theatre. Tickets are available now.

Roger Ransom: A Riversider and a Renaissance man

John Warren — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Roger Ransom, who was on the UCR faculty for more than 40 years, died Dec. 28 at 87. He outlived his prognosis by many years following a 2014 diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

The Great Recession impacted class identity

Susan T. Mashiyama — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

A new study published in Psychological Science led by Stephen Antonoplis, a UC Riverside assistant professor of psychology, showed that the 2008 recession, or Great Recession, caused people to identify with a lower class, and this was a long-lasting effect.

$1 million gift from Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation will support research on child abuse prevention

Sarah Nightingale — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800

UC Riverside has received a $1 million gift from the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation to help stop child abuse before it happens.

School accountability yields long-term gains for students

David Danelski — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800

A UC Riverside-led study found that holding underperforming schools accountable can yield life-changing benefits for their most vulnerable students because such schools are subsequently compelled to make changes that ultimately improve student success. .

Candidates for governor face off on healthcare and economic issues

David Danelski — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Four of the leading Democratic candidates for California governor sparred off on healthcare, housing, and economic issues Friday, Nov. 7, at a debate at UC Riverside. UCR co-hosted the event organized by 11 nonpartisan California health-focused advocacy organizations.

With Prop 50, is Cali voting on Trump, Texas, or both?

John Warren — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In August, Texas state legislators voted for a mid-decade redistricting plan that is likely to turn five U.S. House of Representatives seats from Democrat to Republican. Soon after, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a retaliatory effort, a special election in which California voters are asked to approve new congressional maps drawn by Democrats, bypassing the state’s independent redistricting commission. The plan would likely flip five red seats to blue. Republican donors including Charles Munger Jr.

Kimberly Guerrero is having a moment

John Warren — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Actor and UCR theater professor Kimberly Guerrero is having a moment, as they say in old Hollywood vernacular. The moment started about six years ago, and it’s gathering momentum. The latest milestone in her acting career may be the pinnacle to date, in the just-premiered “IT: Welcome to Derry” series on HBO Max. “I’ve worked more in my 50s, and on very high-profile work, than I ever had. It’s been one project after another,” said Guerrero, a professor in the Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production. “I’m on a high right now.”

'Roll Out’ to UCR Homecoming 2025

Malinn Loeung — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Lock in this November with UC Riverside’s Homecoming 2025. The most anticipated celebration is an on-campus concert featuring 2000s hip-hop icon Ludacris. (Yup, THAT Ludacris!) Select campus groups will also host a barbecue, brunch, cookout, family weekend, and more. Here are all the ways you can join in the fun.

Vietnam’s sound decision

Iqbal Pittalwala — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In her new book, Christina Schwenkel explains how sound became a vital tool in the country’s COVID-19 response

An Evening with celebrated Latinx writer Sandra Cisneros

Susan T. Mashiyama — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

On Wednesday, October 8, UC Riverside’s College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences will host “Palabra y Poder: An Evening with Sandra Cisneros.”

Keeping it reel

Jules Bernstein — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The curator of the only foreign and independent movie house in Riverside does watch shows on his laptop. But he’ll never give up watching film in person, and he doesn’t want you to, either.

Representation translates into more support for LGBT rights

Susan T. Mashiyama — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In a study published in PS: Political Science & Politics, University of California, Riverside researchers found that openly lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) members of the United States Congress took more actions to promote LGB and trans people’s rights than non-LGB colleagues with otherwise similar backgrounds.

Report: Inland Empire warehouse workers make gains through collective action

Randy Black — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In “State of the Unions: California Labor in 2024,” UCR researchers offer details on the growth, salaries, ethnicities, and ongoing struggles of warehouse workers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties

Graphic novelist helps Lion Man roar back to comics

Imran Ghori — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

A little-known comic book character considered one of the first Black superheroes is getting a revival by a team of artists including UC Riverside professor John Jennings. Jennings, a professor of media and cultural studies and an award-winning graphic novelist, is one of the creators behind “The Adventures of Lion Man,” an anthology graphic novel released Aug. 12 by Rosarium Publishing.

Gerrymandering erodes confidence in democracy

David Danelski — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

UCR political science professor Shaun Bowler used survey data from tens of thousands of voters in the 2020 and 2022 elections show that Americans view gerrymandering with the same disdain they reserve for bribery and other blatant forms of political corruption.

Gossip is good for romance, study finds

John Warren — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

“Spill the Tea, Honey: Gossiping Predicts Well-Being in Same- and Different-Gender Couples” is the name of a new study from UC Riverside psychology researchers that found gossip within couples is associated with greater happiness and better relationships.

For seniors: the mental health payoff of staying curious

Jules Bernstein — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

New research shows that older adults who challenge themselves to learn new things are less likely to experience loneliness or depression, even during times of major upheaval.