Department of Sociology Content

New Study Charts How Cartel Violence Increases Risks for Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — December 08, 2025 - 11:25am

As the U.S. government turns its attention to drug cartels in Mexico, new research from the University of California, Davis, suggests that violent competition among criminal organizations increases the risks migrants face at the northern border.

“Migrants face significant dangers across all border regions where criminal organizations operate, but when rival groups fight for territorial control, those dangers escalate sharply,” said Oscar Contreras-Velasco, the study’s author and an assistant professor of sociology in the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis.

Did Trump's 2016 Election Affect Babies' Health?

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — July 25, 2024 - 11:14am

In 2016, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to deport thousands of immigrants. His anti-immigration message vilified foreign-born people living in the U.S.

Do De Facto Deported Children in Mexico Face Socioeconomic Disadvantage?

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — February 22, 2023 - 9:46am

The U.S. government should increase efforts to take care of its young citizens, regardless of their è��’ immigration status, says a UC Davis policy brief.

What are the Myths, Facts, About Hebrew Israelites?

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — January 04, 2023 - 10:31am

What are the Myths, Facts, About Hebrew Israelites?

Few Hourly Workers Compensated for Shift Cuts Required by Law

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — February 02, 2022 - 9:00am

In California and seven other states, and Washington, D.C., some hourly workers, by law, have to be compensated if they report to work only to have their shift cut short. But some hourly workers may not be receiving this pay, and if they are not, it’s often on the employees to call attention to the law, according to a University of California, Davis, study.

What Role Did Big Profit Play in Corruption Before and During Prohibition?

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 19, 2021 - 12:10pm

Corruption occurs when individuals criminally leverage their positions of power for financial gain. A new study by a team from the University of California, Davis, looks at how corruption varied by position of power and within criminal contexts by measuring the actions of corrupt players in Chicago before and during Prohibition. The players included cops and politicians.

Immigrants in ICE Detention Face High Risks in COVID-19 Pandemic

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — March 15, 2021 - 10:30am

Those imprisoned in immigration detention facilities across the country face underlying health conditions and often have chronic illnesses that would expose them to greater risk with COVID-19, a new University of California, Davis, study suggests.

A Sociologist is Also The Piano Man

Michelle Alejandra Villagomez — March 12, 2021 - 11:28am

The following excerpt was posted by UC Davis Magazine and was written by Narimes Parakul.

For David Kyle, associate professor of sociology at UC Davis, creativity finds him in every facet of life.

Most Teen Bullying Occurs Among Peers Climbing the Social Ladder

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — February 17, 2021 - 10:30am

Teens who bully, harass, or otherwise victimize their peers are not always lashing out in reaction to psychological problems or unhealthy home environments, but are often using aggression strategically to climb their school’s social hierarchy, a University of California, Davis, study suggests. These findings point to the reasons why most anti-bullying programs don’t work and suggest possible strategies for the future.

Despite Olympic Gymnastics’ Woes, Sport Is Mostly Positive for Teen Girls

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 11, 2018 - 12:21pm

Rachel Nickens, a doctoral candidate in sociology at UC Davis and a USA Gymnastics coach and judge, spent a year observing training sessions and competitions, and conducted in-depth interviews at three gyms.