News

Study Highlights Hidden Labor Market Facing California’s Most Vulnerable Workers

September 17, 2026
When farmworkers decide conditions are so harsh they have to leave the fields, the story doesn’t end there — it moves to another corner of the labor market. UC Merced Sociology Ph.D. candidate Andrés Arias captures that in his article, “’It is worse in the fields:’ how racial capitalism disciplines...

Alumna Brings Behavioral Science to the Front Lines of Sleep Innovation

September 14, 2026
For Holly Rus, ’17, a passion for health psychology and real-world impact has led to a career at the forefront of consumer sleep research. She is head of scientific research at Sleep.ai, where she directs studies designed to improve health and wellness through better sleep. “I lead a team of...

UC Merced Ph.D. Students Receive ARCS Support for STEM Research

September 3, 2026
Five UC Merced doctoral students have earned prestigious awards from the Northern California Chapter of ARCS Foundation, joining a select group of scholars recognized for outstanding research. “Congratulations to this year’s ARCS Scholars. You are being recognized as outstanding scientists who are...

Big Smiles in Big Collection of New Bobcats at Scholars Bridge Crossing

August 25, 2026
A smiling throng of new faces took part Tuesday in one of UC Merced’s oldest traditions, the Scholars Bridge Crossing. Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and other campus leaders led the march over the bridge. Blue and gold balloons arced over the span, which was lined with cheering staff, faculty and...

School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Faculty Named to Five Endowed Chairs

August 24, 2026
Five faculty members in the UC Merced School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts have been appointed to endowed chairs, recognizing their scholarship and contributions to research that serve underrepresented communities, advance human rights and shape the future of communications. The newly...

Chancellor's Catalyst Awards Ignite Research in Humanities, Social Sciences

August 12, 2026
Digging for stories in a Gold Rush town that vanished in flames 170 years ago. Pinging brainwaves for reactions from sentences that slide between Spanish and English. Fortifying students’ skills and confidence with a practice called powerwriting. These ventures are among nearly a dozen UC Merced...

Fresno Student Eager to Dive into Life at UC Merced

July 27, 2026
This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. Peyton Smith brings a love of water sports, an interest in medicine and a goal to work as a pediatrician to UC Merced. The Fresno student brings a deep resume of public service in high school to her...

UC Merced's Flores Honored for Work with the Community and Labor Center

July 21, 2026
The Pacific Sociological Association recently honored UC Merced sociology Professor Edward Flores, faculty director of the university's Community and Labor Center, with its Distinguished Contribution to Sociological Praxis Award. According to the selection committee, Flores earned the distinction...

UC Merced Launches Communities of the Valley Series with Dutch American History

July 21, 2026
David Zwart hadn't even finished introducing himself as the keynote speaker for "The Dutch -American Story in the San Joaquin Valley" at the UC Merced event on July 14 before he'd found a connection in the audience.  "Any connections?" the historian and associate professor at Grand Valley State...

Turning Research Into Climate Impact

July 21, 2026
Discover how UC Merced Professor Paul Almeida is helping expand community participation in climate action through research focused on equity, civic engagement, and the Central Valley.  Read the full story here.

Pages