News

Fitness Tech Boom Increasing Health Inequality, Says Communication Professor

Technology is making it easier to stay in shape, but only for those who can afford the steep prices of digital fitness devices and the subscriptions that typically go with them. That's why Amy Gonzales, an associate professor in UC Santa Barbara's Department of Communication, argues that comprehensive health data is rapidly becoming a luxury good amid a deepening digital health divide.

National Communication Association Grants Distinguished Scholar Award to Dr. Walid Afifi

The National Communication Association has granted a Distinguished Scholar award to Dr. Walid Afifi, a professor of Communication and Assistant Dean of Social Sciences. The award, which was conferred on Dr. Afifi at the NCA's annual convention in November, is the highest honor granted by the organization each year.

Global Studies Professor's Migration Research Racks Up Book Prizes

While doing research for his first book, “Empire of Refugees: North Caucasian Muslims and the Late Ottoman State” (Stanford University Press, 2024), Vladimir Hamed-Troyansky visited more than 20 archives in 10 countries, a years-long endeavor during which he studied primary historical evidence in Arabic, Ottoman Turkish, Russian, Bulgarian and English. 

Sociologist Sees Promise of 'True Freedom' in Mamdami's Mayoral Victory

Anthropology Professor Michael Gurven explores how early humans adapted to water-scarce environments

Eating a diet of almost exclusively animal products and experiencing relentless, chronic dehydration would lead to serious problems for many of us, but not so for the Turkana of northwest Kenya.

UCSB outlines progress and goals for Native American repatriation

UC Santa Barbara is advancing its efforts to return Native American ancestors and cultural items, with a comprehensive repatriation program and a goal of completing this work responsibly and transparently by 2028.

Novelist Sameer Pandya Takes Helm of Nation's First Asian American Studies Department

With the start of the Fall 2025 quarter Sameer Pandya has officially begun his tenure as chair of the nation's first Asian American Studies department.

Dr. Sabine Frühstück Appointed Director of East Asia Center

The University of California, Santa Barbara has announced the appointment of Dr. Sabine Frühstück, Distinguished Professor and Koichi Takashima Chair in Japanese Cultural Studies, as the new Director of the East Asia Center (EAC).