Click here to read our annual report for 2020-21, which documents our work and offers our thanks for collaborations and contributions during an extraordinarily challenging time.
For a searchable pdf version (alt text coming soon), click here.
The Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s work builds from the idea that all of us, and the ways we pull together to address challenges and create our shared future, truly matter. Today we are releasing the November November 2021 edition of Community Matters, a monthly newsletter that offers a window into this work. Read on to discover ways you can get involved and connect with each other.
For an alt text version of the November 2021 edition, click here.
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a six-day immersive learning experience in which participants explore the systemic and human dimensions of complex social issues in Baltimore. Participants build connections with local leaders, organizations, and policy makers and develop a sophisticated understanding of available resources and challenges. The program helps participants identify pathways to long-term community engagement.
ASB 2022 groups will focus on:
ASB 2022 will take place from March 20-25, 2022. You can find more information, including in-depth topic descriptions, on the application form: here. The application is due November 22, 2022 by 11:59 p.m.
Contact the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu with any questions.
NSF Mid-Career Advancement (MCA)
Full Proposal Due Date: February 7, 2022
An academic career often does not provide the uninterrupted stretches of time necessary for acquiring and building new skills to enhance and advance one’s research program. Mid-career scientists in particular are at a critical career stage where they need to advance their research programs to ensure long-term productivity and creativity but are often constrained by service, teaching, or other activities that limit the amount of time devoted to research.
The MCA offers an opportunity for scientists and engineers at the Associate Professor rank (or equivalent) to substantively enhance and advance their research program through synergistic and mutually beneficial partnerships, typically at an institution other than their home institution. Projects that envision new insights on existing problems or identify new but related problems previously inaccessible without new methodology or expertise from other fields are encouraged.
Partners from outside the PI's own subdiscipline or discipline are encouraged, but not required, to enhance interdisciplinary networking and convergence across science and engineering fields.
By (re)-investing in mid-career investigators, NSF aims to enable and grow a more diverse scientific workforce (more women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities) at high academic ranks, who remain engaged and active in cutting-edge research.
The MCA is the only cross-directorate NSF program specifically aimed at providing protected time and resources to established scientists and engineers targeted at the mid-career (Associate Professor rank or equivalent) stage. Participating programs in the Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO), Geosciences (GEO), Engineering (ENG), Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), and Education and Human Resources (EHR) will accept MCA proposals. PIs are encouraged to discuss the suitability of their MCA proposal with a program officer from the appropriate directorate (see https://www.nsf.gov/bio/MCA_contacts.jsp).
New episode coming this Friday!
Are We Underinvesting in Education?
Featuring 2021 Nobel Laureate and 2020 Social Science Forum guest Dr. David Card.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon!
About The Series
Retrieving the Social Sciences is a production of the UMBC Center for Social Science Scholarship. Our podcast host is Dr. Ian Anson, our director is Dr. Christine Mallinson, our associate director is Dr. Felipe Filomeno and our production intern is Jefferson Rivas. Our theme music was composed and recorded by D’Juan Moreland. Special thanks to Amy Barnes and Myriam Ralston for production assistance. Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where you can find full video recordings of recent UMBC events.