Investigating the World

The social sciences not only help us understand the world around us. Political scientists, social workers, journalists, economists, anthropologists and other social scientists undertake crucial work that impacts and improves the world around us.

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Professor Kim Ruhl appointed as member of President’s Council of Economic Advisers

In an announcement today from the White House, Kim Ruhl, Curt and Sue Culver Professor of Economics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has been appointed a member of the Council of Economic Advisers.

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Social Sciences
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Swinging for the Fences

Rick Schlesinger is the hand that guides one of Major League Baseball’s most clever and efficient teams.

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Social Sciences
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2025 Distinguished Teaching Award recipients announced

Five L&S faculty members have been chosen to receive this year’s Distinguished Teaching Awards, an honor given out since 1953 to recognize some of the university’s finest educators.

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Social Sciences

Lori Kido Lopez, Associate Dean for Social Sciences

Social science involves the systematic and evidence-based study of the social world — encompassing all of the political, economic, legal, technological and cultural ideas, structures and processes that we create to live together as a society.

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Five Things You Need to Know about the Social Sciences

#1

Social science is the study of life — of society and the ways humans behave and influence the world.

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Five Things You Need to Know about the Social Sciences

#2

The social sciences help explain events beyond our immediate experiences, from the causes of unemployment to what makes people happy.

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Five Things You Need to Know about the Social Sciences

#3

Social sciences do much more than study the obvious.

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Five Things You Need to Know about the Social Sciences

#4

Social sciences can change the world! Social scientists help solve problems such as political unrest, crime, energy crises, economic instability and health issues.

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Five Things You Need to Know about the Social Sciences

#5

Social sciences are just as important as STEM; they provide insights into how science and innovation work.