Social and Behavioral Sciences

In the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) scholars examine patterns of social, psychological, cultural, political, and economic structures with the overall goal of discovering pathways for political cooperation, social mobility, greater equality, and enhancing our individual and collective well-being. By studying the behavior of individuals, groups, and institutions, we attempt to predict, prevent, and manage the many problems that arise in society.

SBS scholars actively engage in DEI scholarship and teaching as they study and teach about the human world at many scales, from the mechanisms of individual behavior to the way groups interact to the politics of states and nations, and are dedicated to working with other programs at Rutgers University and beyond.

The nine programs in SBS actively engage in DEI teaching: Political science was the national leader in developing a Program in Women and Politics in the 1980s and now offers a graduate minor in Race, Ethnicity, and Politics for graduate students in fields across the school. Africana Studies developed in response to student demand over fifty years ago. Latino and Caribbean Studies began as the Puerto Rican Studies Program, developing and diversifying over the years in response to New Jersey’s changing demographics, and is currently developing a certificate program for professionals in Multicultural Competence.

In this photo professor of archeology Dan Cabanes works with students on an Interdisciplinary Research Team project, a program that aims to expand notions of research by providing financial support and academic credit to teams of sophomores and juniors working on projects that cross disciplines. Like many SBS faculty, Professor Cabanes seeks out opportunities to support student research. He hosts weekly research meetings where lab members from undergraduates to post docs to visiting scientists present their research.

Beyond Rutgers, anthropology works to preserve the Lenape language in partnership with Lenape tribal members; psychology faculty participate in suicide prevention community education; HIV/AIDs support programs, and programs supporting victims of sexual trauma and abuse. In addition, Psychology faculty created and continue to direct the NJ Autism Center for Excellence to support the study and treatment of individuals living with autism spectrum disorder.

The social and behavioral sciences are at the very heart of understanding how groups and individuals can work together to address issues of long-standing racial injustice.

Below is a selected list of current programs and initiatives:

Educators

Psychologist Highlighting Minorities in Science and STEM

Psychology professor Elizabeth B. Torres became interested in diversity, equity and inclusion while leading the New Jersey Autism Center of Excellence, a statewide organization that works with the community to guide autism research. She and her colleagues ran the podcast series “Celebrating Minorities in Science and STEM” to highlight underrepresented minorities in academia and share their paths to success. As a result, Torres was named a fellow in the I Aspire Leadership Academy, a national program of professional development for researchers from underrepresented groups to succeed in senior leadership roles. “I realized how much these fellows wanted to give back to their communities and offer young generations new opportunities for change and growth,” said Torres. “The hardships they shared clearly made them resilient and altruistic at the same time.”

Pioneering Program in Women and Politics Draws Students to Rutgers

Since the 1980s, Rutgers has been known as the “mothership” of graduate studies in women and politics, training generations of influential scholars who brought their knowledge to colleges and universities nationwide. “Our basic idea was to create a field,” said Susan Carroll one of the founders of the Program in Women in Politics, recently recognized by the American Political Science Association for her leadership. “I wanted younger scholars to go out and pursue their own imaginative work, and create new knowledge and they have.” Nadia Brown, who earned her Ph.D. in 2010 and is a professor at Purdue University, broke new ground with her dissertation on black women legislators, which she published as a book, Sisters in the Statehouse: Black Women and Legislative Decision Making. Brown says, “I wanted to tell a story about what made black women unique in politics.”

Community

Breaking New Ground on NJ Latino Research

Although Latinos in New Jersey number nearly one in five residents, their experience settling down and building lives in the Garden State have not received much attention from historians. But thanks to a professor in Latino and Caribbean Studies and a team of energetic students, that is changing. The New Jersey Latino New Jersey History Project, a multi-media research effort that draws from census data, public archives, and interviews to provide a rich, detailed, and sometimes surprising picture of New Jersey Latinos.

Early Childhood Development Center

SBS supports the Rutgers Psychology Child Development Center, which provides affordable, convenient, and high-quality childcare to address the diverse needs of faculty, post-docs, and graduate students and puts Rutgers on par with other Big 10 and R1 universities.

Divisions