A recent UDaily article features my ongoing interdisciplinary research in Southbridge, an historically African-American community in South Wilmington.  Read the UDaily article for information on our collaborative research efforts there, as well as information on how the residents of Southbridge are making big strides to improve the quality of life and environmental conditions in the area:

http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2015/jan/southbridge-environment-012715.html

Public health data, like data on cancer incidence in geographic areas, are instrumental when making claims about the impact of the environment on human health.  How does this data end up in the minds of the public?  One way is through the local newspaper.  Read my new article on how cancer incidence in Delaware census tracts became “cancer clusters” in our state’s flagship newspaper.

Cancer Clusters in the News Media

I was recently interviewed by Richard Gordon, creator and host of Campus Voices at the University of Delaware, about my work on the rhetoric of anti-science.  Have a listen:

http://sites.udel.edu/campusvoices/2014/08/28/perezrhetoric/

Many thanks to Richard for allowing me to come on the air a second time (!), and to his new intern Sarah for her hard work throughout the interview.

UPDATE: a recent, timely discussion of the controversy surrounding anti-vaccine rhetoric in the media:

http://mic.com/articles/97628/an-anti-vaccine-truther-claims-there-s-a-cdc-cover-up-here-are-the-actual-facts?utm_source=policymicFB&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social

UPDATE 2: more data on recent increases in preventable diseases among children:

http://mic.com/articles/98330/the-case-for-vaccinating-your-kids-in-one-alarming-chart

One burgeoning area of interest for sociologists and criminologists is the impact of climate change on crime.  Stream an excellent podcast on the issue below, featuring Robert Agnew, from our friends at Office Hours.

http://www.salon.com/2014/02/05/too_poor_for_pop_culture/

I enjoyed the read, for sure. With the Internet and online journalism, I like how visible “non-traditional” academics are these days, telling their stories that bring to life both their personal saga and the academic issues that they engage (and how the two are intricately intertwined). This is something that I have seen more recently in PhDs from the social sciences: people getting PhDs to institute social change, embodying the very issues that they strive to change. (in his case a master’s) It’s a complex and fascinating interplay.

Inspiring words from a Washington, D.C. teacher:

http://www.upworthy.com/what-does-your-life-expectancy-have-to-do-with-your-zip-code-everything-2?c=ufb1