CHSS - News

This publication features essays by Black and Africana scholactivists from disciplines such as history, literature, education, religion, and psychology, this text accentuates the expansion of critical race theory beyond legal studies. It posits that scholar-activism or scholactivism, a firm commitment to liberation and social justice, is a central thread that unifies critical race studies scholars across disciplines. Co-edited by CHSS professors: Dr. Jonathan Chism, Dr. Stacie Craft DeFreitas, Dr. Vida Robertson, and Dr. David Ryden. Available April 2021.  Preorder from rowman.com.

Interim Associate Dean, Dr. Stacie DeFreit​as earns "2021 Most Promising New Textbook" Award from Textbook and Academic Authors Association (TAA). Dr. DeFreitas' publication is one of nine textbooks received Textbook Excellence Awards, and ten textbooks received Most Promising New Textbook Awards. See the full listing on the TAA site. 

Daniel Peña, Assistant Professor of English, describes in the latest issue of the New York Times Magazine the therapeutic virtues of cycling. He writes, "Pedaling felt like a celebration of kinetic energy, of blood, cartilage and bone. A reminder that my body was still healthy and functioning despite the pandemic." When not riding his bike or publishing fiction, Mr. Pena teaches a range of courses in Creative Writing at UHD. Read Dr. Peña's New York Times Article, The Joys of Biking at Night.

CHSS Assistant Dean, Crystal Guillory has been named Humanities Education and Association Research (HERA). Cultural Divides: Bridging Gaps and Making Connections" will be held this week March 4-6, 2021. More on HERA conference

Psychology Today declares Dr. Peter Li's new book offers very unique, timely, and much-needed perspectives. "In the last three decades, animal cruelty in China has attracted much international attention. Several factors may have contributed to this growing attention on the well-being of nonhuman individuals in China. First, it is China's openness to the outside world." - Dr. Peter Li.   Read Dr. Li's the interview with Psychology Today's Mark Bekoff.
Animal Welfare in China book.

Her article “How Variations in Behavior and Phenotype Affect In-Group Stereotyping and Belonging Among African American Adolescents and Emerging Adults” featured insights gained from research conducted among 40 Black high school students and 42 Black college students. “This paper looks at how Black people who vary in typicality, in both their behavior and phenotype, ... are perceived by others within their in-group,” said Wilson, Assistant Professor of Psychology and a Fellow in UHD’s Center for Critical Race Studies. Read more about Dr. Wilson's publication.

Dr. Katharine Jager's new book, "“Vernacular Aesthetics in the Later Middle Ages: Politics, Performativity, and Reception From Literature to Music,” was recently published by Palgrave Macmillan for its New Middle Ages Series. Even though it’s her first book, over the years Jager’s poems and essays have appeared in various volumes, anthologies and journals. Per the publisher’s website, the book “explores the formal composition, public performance, and popular reception of vernacular poetry, music and prose within late medieval French and English cultures through a collection of essays…” Read more about Dr. Jager's publication.

Dr. Robin Davidson recently completed a translation of a book of poems by Polish poet, Ewa Lipska, Dear Ms. Schubert (Princeton University Press Lockert Library of Poetry Translation).  Dear Ms. Schubert was listed in a recent issue of The New York Times as recommended reading in the “At Home” section under “Read Beyond Your Borders”. Read the New York Times Review. Davidson, an esteemed poet herself, has again collaborated with poet Ewa Elżbieta Nowakowska to translate a recent collection of Lipska’s poems for a new book, “Dear Ms. Schubert” (Princeton University Press). Davidson and Nowakowska have translated Lipska’s series of poetic postcards sent to the title character Ms. Schubert from an enigmatic Mr. Schmetterling (or “Mr. Butterfly”). Read more about Dr. Davidson and "Dear Mrs. Schubert".

UHD’s Associate Professor of Political Science, Dr. Peter Li, was recently interviewed by the BBC World News on the Covid pandemic and China's wildlife policy. Dr. Li is one of a handful of American-based political science and legal scholars who study animal law, policymaking, and their impact on today's globalized society. His recent commentaries and interviews have appeared in many national and international media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, FoxNews, China National CCTV, Channel News Asia (Singapore), National Geographic, Independent, the Guardian, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the South China Morning Post, and others. Dr. Li has also commented on U.S. policy towards North Korea and China's military policy in Houston area outlets. Most recently, on October 29, Dr. Li appeared on Singapore’s News Asia to discuss China’s 19th Party Congress.

Professor Natacha Poggio was interviewed on Instagram Live by AIGA (the Professional Association for Design).  In this interview, Professor Poggio discusses her involvement with AIGA Unidos and the Hispanic Heritage Talks which she has been co-organizing and facilitating. She also discussed the university, UHD students and the role of design in communication.

Listen to the Interview with Professor Poggio

Harris explores Killmonger’s plight in her article and sheds light on how the film’s Afrofuturism (a literary or cinematic vision of a technologically advanced Black society filled with hope and freedom) is solely extended to African characters. The sole Black American character (Killmonger) is excluded from this world.

Read more on Dr. Harris' Article

Dr. Susan Henney, Professor of Psychology, was interviewed on KHOU regarding Thanksgiving during the “new normal.”  View the interview on KHOU.

Dr. William Flores, Professor of Political Science, was interviewed by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Read the article on Diverse Education's website.

UHD Associate Professor of History Dr. Gene Preuss was interviewed by KHOU regarding the historical significance of the 2020 election.

UHD’s Dr. Gene Preuss was featured on Fox 26's Isiah Factor on Nov. 6 discussing the presidential election. View the discussion on Fox 26.

Dr. Vida Robertson, Director of the college’s Center for Critical Race Studies, participated on a panel hosted by KUHF’s Houston Matters. He discussed important figures in American history worthy of memorializing in public statues in light of their positive influence on U.S. Society. He pointed out that our monuments and memorials are a vehicle of projecting to future generations our present-day aspirations. He underscored how women, in particular, have been woefully under-represented in public installations. He also reflected upon the importance of people who were prominent in the struggle for equal rights. Listen to the Interview

Dr. Vida Robertson, Director of the Center for Critical Race Studies, was interviewed about Kamala Harris by The Houston Chronicle. Read the Interview with Dr. Robertson

Dr. Murray was interviewed on KHOU about Kamala Harris become the first woman and first person of color elected Vice President.  View the interview on KHOU.

Dr. Creshema Murray and Dr. Gene Preuss where panelists on Fox26's Isiah Factor discussing the Election 2020. View the panel discussion on Fox26.

Dr. Creshema Murray, a founding Center for Critical Race Studies Fellow and Associate Professor of Communication Studies, was recently interviewed by Houston ABC affiliate, Channel 13. Dr. Murray spoke on how film can be used as a medium for unpacking and rooting-out systematic racism. Her edited book, Leadership through the Lens: Interrogating Production, Presentation, and Power (Lexington, 2017), explores how leadership and social biases are implanted by the media and the entertainment industry.   Dr. Murray's Interview on ABC13

Dr. Murray is interviewed by Fox26.  In this interview Dr. Murray helps identify how to know when your workplace is toxic.  Does working from home impact this situation?  Watch the Interview on Fox26

Dr. Murray appears on Fox26's Isiah Factor to address Chicago protests. Watch the Interview on Fox26

NPR Town Square
Dr. Creshema Murray spoke on NPR Town Square on Sept. 28th to delve into the Breonna Taylor case and the ongoing scrutiny of justice in cases of police violence against Black Americans.  Listen to the NPR Town Square Meeting

Breckinridge Film Festival Panel
Dr. Creshema Murray spoke on a Breckinridge Film Festival panel, Racism Through the Lens: The Value of Media in Addressing Racial Justice, on September 19th. Panelists examined how film portrays the Black experience, and discussed the pros & cons of different types of films in the fight for racial justice. 
Read more about the Breckinridge Film Festival Panel.

Dr. David Branham a panel of "The Good, the Bad and The Ugly" Houston News broadcast on Houston Public Radio on Nov. 6. Listen to the broadcast.

Dr. David Branham, Professor of Political Science, was interviewed on FOX26’s “The Isiah Factor” regarding Kamala Harris at the Democratic Convention.  Watch the Interview on Fox26

Dr. Branham participates in a panel discucsion on election night results for Texas on Nov. 4th on Fox 26. View the discuss​ion of Fox 26. 
View another segment of this interview.

Dr. David Branham joins a panel of non-experts as they discuss topics from the week of August 14, 2020.   Listen to the Broadcast

Professor of Psychology Dr. Kristin Anderson was interviewed by the Houston Chronicle about the Houston police oversight board.

Listen to the Broadcast

Assistant Professor of Health & Human Behavior Michael Lemke was interviewed on ABC13 regarding COVID-19’s impact on truck drivers.
Watch the Interview on ABC13

Dr. Lemke was also interviewed on Land Line on the impact of Covid-19 on truck drivers.  

Watch Dr. Lemke's interview on Covid-19 and its impact on truck drivers on Fox 26's Isiah Factor.

Dr. Daniel Peña's novel "Bang" (2018) was listed as one of the best books about Texas from the Houston Chronicle's list of the Best Books about Texas

CapSource interviews Assistant Dean Crystal Guillory on being an experimental educator and her experiences at UHD. Dean Guillory shares the results of experimental education: "Regardless of the service-project, I see students first hand develop a strong ability to network, speak publicly, write professional proposals, remain organized, collaborate with others, and work within a team."  

Read the interview with CapStone.

Beyond COVID-19, however, nonprofits support citizens in a variety of areas. Through effective leadership, these organizations often deliver essential services not offered by government agencies. Credit the University of Houston-Downtown’s Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management Program (MNPM) for preparing those leaders who guide these organizations in meeting the needs of the public. In a short time, the online program (based within UHD’s Department of Social Sciences) has emerged as the region’s leader in grooming nonprofit professionals. According to recent rankings from Best Value Schools, this graduate program is No. 4 in the U.S. and is Texas’ top nonprofit management program. Read more about this recognition.
Learn more about the M.A. in Nonprofit Management Graduate Program

Article by By Varah Thornton in UHD Dateline news

Professor Daniel Peña interviews Dr. Beth Hatfield, Dr. Felicia Harris, and UHD Students Maddie Lehnert and Maria Solache on the CHSS Spring Read, Sherry Turkle’s Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in the Digital Age.

But what does conversation look like in the era of COVID-19? And how does technology and quarantine change everything moving forward.

Listen to the interview on Soundcloud.

Dr. Darius Benton, Assistant Professor of Communications, presented “Hero or Villain: A Deeper Look into Erik Killmonger of Marvel’s Black Panther” to a capacity crowd as part of UHD’S 2020 Black History Month programming. Dr. Benton illustrated the unique and sophisticated construction of  “villain” in this blockbuster movie.