News

Christina Bejarano discusses changes in the U.S. political landscape with BELatina

8/31/21

"As demonstrated by researcher Christina Bejarano of Texas Woman’s University, beyond elections and incumbency, political participation rates of women from America’s once so-called 'racial and ethnic minorities' have also increased dramatically over the past ten years, far outpacing increases for men.

In fact, according to Bejarano, Latinas not only participate more but also 'express distinctive political attitudes that have helped them lead the way in boosting Latino political participation.'"

Sociology PhD student featured in GDAC 'Soul Art Renewal' exhibition

7/22/21

Petina JD Powers, a PhD student and GTA at TWU, has a series of three poems included in the Greater Denton Arts Council (GDAC) exhibition, "Soul Art Renewal: PENS & LENSES." Powers’ poems are part of her larger qualitative work on pandemic poetry and images. 

TWU alumna says “multispecies families” impact birth rates, job location, disasters and more in new book

7/21/21

TWU alumna and current SMU sociologist Andrea Laurent-Simpson says treating pets like family has changed our laws, the number of children we have, and even where we choose to work. Her new book could make the fur fly for pet lovers and detractors alike.

Smartt Gullion, Tilton's "Researching With" named International Book Awards finalist

6/21/21

"Researching With: A Decolonizing Approach to Community-Based Action Research" by Jessica Smartt Gullion (Associate Dean of Research, College of Arts and Sciences; Associate Professor, Sociology) and Abigail Tilton (Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Professor, Social Work) has been named a 2021 International Book Awards finalist in the Education/Academic category.

According to the publisher's website, "Researching With" "is a guide for how to do research that is inclusive, engages in community-building, and implements a decolonizing framework. The text advocates for a collaborative approach, researching with communities, rather than conducting research on them. Reviewing both theory and method, Jessica Smartt Gullion and Abigail Tilton offer practical tips for forming community partnerships and building coalitions."

Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of American Book Fest, said this year’s contest yielded over 2,000 entries from authors and publishers around the world, which were then narrowed down to the final results.

Alumna Melissa Theil leads effort to memorialize Sherman, Texas lynching

6/7/21

TWU alumna Melissa Thiel is leading an effort to install a historical marker for the lynching of George Hughes and the Sherman Riot of 1930. Thiel’s effort to commemorate Sherman’s painful past has stalled — caught between resistance by some of the town’s White leaders and a rising desire among residents to confront old racial wounds.
Although she has approached her project with a certain indomitability, “I picked a doozy,” Thiel said. “I was naive, and I didn’t think the pushback I’d get would get to this level.”

Thiel earned her master's in history and was part of TWU's public history program.