Content Authored by: John Sanford
Grad student awarded fellowships for study of ancient Greece
Stacy Flores has been awarded dissertation fellowships totaling $56,000 from the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation and the American Association of University Women to help fund her research on citizenship, marriage, and identity in ancient Greece.
Demographer David Swanson inducted into Sigma Xi
David Swanson, distinguished professor emeritus of sociology at UC Riverside, has been inducted into the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society, whose members have included more than 230 Nobel laureates.
UCR poet’s work helps inspire traveling concert
A multimedia concert celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding spotlights a famous poem by Allison Hedge Coke, distinguished professor of creative writing at UC Riverside. Hedge Coke’s “America, I Sing You Back,” published in 2011, is one of three related poems that inspired “I Hear America Singing,” a traveling stage production.
UCR’s Low Residency MFA selected as Nicholl Fellowships partner
The Palm Desert Low Residency MFA program at UC Riverside has been selected as a partner of the 2026-27 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, an international talent development program led by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that supports non-professional screenwriters.
Grad student awarded top fellowship in Native American art
Sarah Salisbury, a doctoral student in art history at UC Riverside, has been awarded the Betsy James Wyeth Fellowship in Native American Art by the Smithsonian Institution. The yearlong residential fellowship is considered one of the most prestigious for the study of Native American art.
Doctoral student awarded research fellowship at Smithsonian
Homer Arnold, a doctoral student in art history at UC Riverside, has been awarded the George Gurney Fellowship by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C.
UCR to host Belgian audio producer as Fulbright scholar
UC Riverside has been selected to host Belgian audio producer and educator Frank Duchêne next spring as a Fulbright scholar in residence. “This is a great recognition of the teaching and research happening in the UCR Music Department,” said Liz Przybylski, a professor of music at UCR, who led the effort to bring Duchêne to campus.
Demographer David Swanson receives Mindel C. Sheps Award
David Swanson, a distinguished professor emeritus of sociology at UC Riverside, was presented with the Mindel C. Sheps Award at the Population Association of America’s annual meeting in May in St. Louis.
MFA student Sara Hovda wins Trio Award for poetry collection
Sara Hovda, a student in the Master of Fine Arts program at UC Riverside, has won the 2026 Trio Award for her debut poetry manuscript, “Night’s Grammar.” “I was honestly beside myself,” Hovda said.
UCR historian awarded fellowship for book project on China
Xiao Chen, an assistant professor of history at UC Riverside, has been awarded a Luce/ACLS Early Career Long-Term Fellowship in China Studies. With a yearlong research leave made possible by the $45,000 grant and support from UCR’s College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Chen plans to complete a book manuscript.
Grad student awarded grant to study pioneering dance troupe
Erika Villeroy da Costa, a graduate student in critical dance studies at UC Riverside, has been awarded a 2026 Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship. Da Costa will use the $52,000 grant to support her research on first-generation members of the Afro-Brazilian dance troupe Balé Folclórico Mercedes Baptista.
Exploring effects of climate change on maternal health
A two-day symposium earlier this month at UC Riverside convened academic researchers, activists, government officials and leaders from nonprofit organizations to explore the effects of climate change on maternal and reproductive health as well as strategies for mitigating the risks.
Historian Georg Michels awarded Guggenheim Fellowship
Georg Michels, a professor of history at UC Riverside, has won the 2026 Richard F. Gustafson Guggenheim Fellowship in Slavic Studies, one of only three named fellowships awarded by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.
UCR poet Allison White awarded LA Times Book Prize
Allison Benis White’s most recent poetry collection, “A Magnificent Loneliness,” was awarded the 2025 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Poetry. “This recognition of ‘A Magnificent Loneliness’ is what writers dream about," White said. "And I’m grateful to represent UC Riverside, and our Creative Writing Department, with this honor.”
Political scientist honored for regional, community service
Ronald Loveridge, associate professor of political science at UC Riverside, was presented with a 2026 Poppy Award from the California Association of Councils of Governments for his efforts to support UCR students and advocate for good regional governance.
Social scientist awarded $100K to study county governance
Cristina Gomez-Vidal, an assistant professor of society, environment, and health equity at UC Riverside, has been awarded a $100,000 grant to study how counties in Greater Los Angeles can improve the political representation and participation of residents in unincorporated communities.
Recent art history student finalist for major dissertation award
Cambra Sklarz, who earned a doctorate in art history at UC Riverside in 2024, was named a finalist for the 2026 McNeil Center for Early American Studies Dissertation Prize.
Dana Simmons wins Emory Elliott Book Award for “On Hunger”
Dana Simmons, an associate professor of society, environment, and health equity at UC Riverside, is the winner of the 2025 Emory Elliott Book Award for her latest work, “On Hunger: Violence and Craving in America, from Starvation to Ozempic,” which is available free online.
Wu named fellow of Association for Psychological Science
Rachel Wu, an associate professor of psychology at UC Riverside, has been made a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science.
Allison White’s latest poetry collection nominated for Los Angeles Times Book Prize
Allison Benis White’s most recent collection of poetry, “A Magnificent Loneliness,” is a finalist for the 2025 Los Angeles Times Book Prize.