Exterior of Nancy Nicholas Hall in the evening, with lamps and windows glowing.
News & Events

SoHE News: Sep 25–Oct 1

Thanks for reading our weekly roundup of news and events at the School of Human Ecology. Have something we should know about? Email Public Relations Manager Serena Larkin, or submit your SoHE event via this form. View past issues of news and events here.

SoHE scholars in the news

Kerr discusses parent well-being and “relational savoring” with NBC 26

Mom holding toddler daughter in her arms
Mom’s grasp 3637, by Mike Liu, cc.

Dr. Margaret Kerr, of Human Development and Family Studies, spoke with NBC 26 Green Bay about her lab’s recent research on the mental health and well-being of parents during the pandemic and the idea of “relational savoring” to help weather hard times.

“It involves thinking about a moment of positive connection with your child or with another loved one, then kind of trying to relive that experience. Think about all the sensory aspects that came along with it, and then all the emotions that came along with it,” Kerr said. “It can allow you to relive those experiences. So just sitting down at the end of the day and think about what good thing that happened or one positive interaction that we had today, and then sitting with that for a few minutes.”

Raison talks psilocybin treatment for major depression with WPR

Dr. Charles Raison, the Mary Sue and Mike Shannon Distinguished Chair for Healthy Minds, Children & Families and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, joined Wisconsin Public Radio’s The Morning Show last Thursday to discuss his research on psilocybin treatments for major depressive disorder.

Angus show highlighted in Pittsburgh City Paper’s 2020 fall art guide

Jennifer Angus, the Audrey Rothermel Bascom Professor in Human Ecology, had her new show, “The Museum of Everything,” currently at Pittsburgh’s Mattress Factory, recommended in the Pittsburgh City Paper‘s 2020 fall art guide.

New research

Raison: “Microglial Activation and Response to Anti-inflammatory Treatment in Major Depressive Disorder”

Dr. Charles Raison has a new paper in Biological Psychiatry, “Microglial Activation and Response to Anti-inflammatory Treatment in Major Depressive Disorder: Another Piece in the Inflammation–Mood Disorders Puzzle.”

Wong: “Is savings automation helpful to liquid savings?”

Dr. Nancy Wong, SoHE’s Kohl’s Chair in Retail Innovation and Consumer Science department chair, has published a new paper in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, “Is savings automation helpful to liquid savings? It depends on whether you have a savings habit.”

Joy Huntington, Design Studies PhD dissertation: How women shaped Madison’s development

Dr. Joy W. Huntington, a 2020 graduate of SoHE’s Design Studies PhD program, has published her dissertation online, “A historic analysis of Madison’s Urban Landscape: How women influenced the development of a city.” Her committee was headed by Design Studies department chair Dr. Jung-hye Shin.

Events

“The Developing Mind,” with Dr. Poehlmann-Tynan

Virtual event | Tuesday, October 6, 7:00 p.m. CT: According to a survey conducted by Sesame Street, nearly 80 percent of parents agreed it’s more important for their child to be kind than academically successful. Learn more about ways to nurture the development of children’s healthy minds and hearts in a session hosted by Center for Healthy Minds and featuring Dr. Sarah Short and Dr. Julie Poehlmann-Tynan, the Dorothy A. O’Brien Professor in Human Ecology. The event is free and open to the public. More information and registration are available here.

“The Media Dilemma,” with Dr. Heather Kirkorian and the Wisconsin Science Festival

Virtual event | Saturday, October 17, 8:30–10:00 p.m. CT: Wisconsin-born, nationally touring comedian Shane Mauss is joined by a second comedian and two UW-Madison professors, including Dr. Heather Kirkorian, chair of Human Development and Family Studies and the Laura M. Secord Chair in Early Childhood Development, for an informative and fun exploration of the research related to screen time & modern media as a live recording of his science podcast “Here We Are.” The event is free and open to the public and will be screened live via Crowdcast, but space is limited. Registration is recommended.

“The Past and Future of School Lunch as a Form of Public Care,” with Dr. Jennifer Gaddis

Virtual event | Tuesday, November 17: As part of the fall lecture series, “Forward? The Wisconsin Idea, Past and Present,” Dr. Jennifer Gaddis will discuss her research on school lunch systems in a talk titled “The Past and Future of School Lunch as a Form of Public Care.” The series is free and open to the public. More information and registration are available here.

Plus, view the full online calendar of SoHE-sponsored events.