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Category: News

OIBR Distinguished Scholar David Okech Represents UGA at COSSA Advocacy Day

In April 2025, the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research (OIBR) proudly sponsored Dr. David Okech, one of OIBR’s Distinguished Scholars, to attend the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. The annual event brings together researchers from across the country to advocate for continued federal investment in social and behavioral science.

Dr. Okech is the Georgia Athletics Association Professor of Human Trafficking Implementation Research at the University of Georgia and the founding director of the Center for Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO).

This marked Dr. Okech’s first time participating in COSSA Advocacy Day, though he had prior experience advocating on Capitol Hill during graduate school. Reflecting on the event, he shared how meaningful it was to join a broad community of researchers working to ensure that policymakers understand the value and impact of their work.

“It’s easy to wonder if these events have a tangible impact,” Okech noted, “but when you see the long lines of people advocating on behalf of issues they care about, you start to see the potential for change. It was not just us advocating on behalf of social science research, it was also about listening to the research priorities of the administration.”

The fast-paced nature of meetings on Capitol Hill was both eye-opening and instructive. “You realize very quickly how important it is to make your message succinct and compelling,” he said. Although the time with lawmakers’ staff was brief, the opportunity to discuss the economic and societal importance of social science research proved to be a powerful reminder of the field’s relevance.

Dr. Okech emphasized the importance of using language that resonates with policymakers, especially in terms of economic impact. “Communicating how our work affects not just health and well-being, but also the economic impact, seemed to get more attention.”

One of his key takeaways from the experience was the sense of solidarity among researchers. “Meeting other social scientists with the same challenges—and feeling like I could do something, even if small, to communicate the importance of our work—was incredibly rewarding.”

When asked what more could be done to support the social sciences, Dr. Okech highlighted the need for clearer and more accessible communication. “Locally, I believe we need to better convey the real-world impact of our research to the general public,” he said.

Would he recommend the experience to others? Absolutely. “Not everyone understands the effects of social science research. Being able to communicate that to those shaping funding decisions is essential.”

His favorite moment? Being asked by congressional staff why his research matters. “It made me reflect more deeply on the real-world impact of my work, beyond what we put in grant proposals.”

The Owens Institute is proud to support faculty like Dr. Okech in representing the University of Georgia and the social sciences on a national stage.

Written by: Andrea Horsman
June 6, 2025

2025 Distinguished Scholars Announced

Owens Institute for Behavioral Research Announces 2025 Distinguished Scholars

The Owens Institute for Behavioral Research (OIBR) at the University of Georgia is proud to announce the promotion of five faculty affiliates to the rank of Distinguished Scholar for 2025. This honor recognizes outstanding research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustained contributions to the behavioral and social sciences.

The 2025 OIBR Distinguished Scholars are:

  • Brian Bauer (Psychology)

  • Malissa Clark (Psychology)

  • Rifat Haider (Health Policy and Management)

  • Sarah Shannon (Sociology)

  • Justine Tinkler (Sociology)

These scholars have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their fields and a strong commitment to advancing impactful, collaborative research that aligns with OIBR’s mission to address complex societal challenges through behavioral science.

Please join us in congratulating these faculty members on their well-deserved recognition.

UGA Ranks Among Top 10 in Nation for Social and Behavioral Science Federal Research Funding

The University of Georgia has once again secured a place among the nation’s top research institutions in the social and behavioral sciences. According to the 2025 College and University Rankings for Federal Social and Behavioral Science R&D Funding, released by the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA), UGA ranks 10th nationally, with $37.3 million in federal funding for research in these fields during fiscal year 2023. This marks the second consecutive year that UGA has ranked in the top ten—and it remains the highest-ranked institution in Georgia.

This distinction highlights UGA’s growing prominence in disciplines such as psychology, sociology, economics, political science, law, communications, and social work. These fields play a critical role in addressing some of today’s most pressing societal challenges, including public health, education access, social equity, and economic opportunity.

At the forefront of this effort is the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research (OIBR), which supports interdisciplinary research by affiliated faculty across campus. Their work helps shape policies and practices at the local, state, and national levels, producing research that not only expands academic knowledge but also drives practical solutions to real-world problems. From improving mental health outcomes and education systems to enhancing public safety and health equity, the work of OIBR researchers has tangible impacts on communities.

The COSSA rankings are based on data from the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey, which tracks federal R&D expenditures across higher education institutions. UGA’s continued ascent in the rankings is a clear reflection of the university’s dedication to advancing research that makes a difference.

But why should this matter to the broader public?

Social and behavioral science research touches nearly every aspect of daily life. It helps answer fundamental questions: How can families thrive? What reduces crime? How can schools be more effective? What drives political behavior? How do we create more equitable and healthier communities?

This research provides critical insights into how people think, behave, and interact—and turns those insights into action. It informs better policies, more efficient public programs, and stronger community support systems. Whether it’s navigating a public health crisis, addressing systemic inequality, or understanding how technology affects communication, social science is essential to creating a more just and sustainable society.

At UGA, investment in these disciplines is not just about academic excellence—it’s about making life better for everyone. Through strong leadership, committed researchers, and growing national recognition, the Owens Institute and the University of Georgia are proud to be a driving force in the future of social and behavioral science.

Written by: Andrea Horsman
May 7, 2025

Dr. Man Kit Lei Named Co-Director of CBSER

Dr. Man Kit (Karlo) Lei Named Co-Director of the Center on Biological Embedding of Social Events and Relationships (CBSER)

The Owens Institute for Behavioral Research (OIBR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Man Kit (Karlo) Lei, an associate professor in Sociology, as the new co-director of the Center on Biological Embedding of Social Events and Relationships (CBSER). He joins current co-director Dr. Steven Beach in leading this research center.

The Center on Biological Embedding of Social Events and Relationships brings together behavioral and biological scientists interested in understanding the intersections of genetic and environmental contributions to health, health behavior, and interpersonal outcomes. The focus of the group is on strengthening the infrastructure for collaborative research and grant proposal writing.

As co-director, Dr. Lei will help guide CBSER’s mission to strengthen research infrastructure, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and support successful grant development. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing the center’s work at the intersection of biology and social science.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lei on this new role as he helps CBSER continue to grow and thrive within OIBR.

CACHE Team Honored with Georgia CTSA Presidents’ Award of Distinction for Innovative Public Health Research

Michael Schmidt (center), a CACHE faculty affiliate with the Department of Kinesiology, and Grace Ahn (far right) demonstrate a VR project while Allan Tate, CACHE director of biostatistics, epidemiology and research design, looks on.

A multidisciplinary research team from the Center for Advanced Computer-Human Ecosystems (CACHE) at the University of Georgia has been awarded the prestigious Presidents’ Award of Distinction by the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (Georgia CTSA). The honor was presented at the Georgia CTSA’s annual conference in March 2025.

This award recognizes innovative, high-functioning research teams whose collaborative efforts have significantly advanced clinical and translational science and are poised to make a lasting impact on human health. The CACHE team, known for its groundbreaking work using immersive media technologies, was recognized for its impactful interventions in behavior change and public health communication.

“For the past 15 years, our research has demonstrated that immersive media technologies can be powerful tools for translational science,” said Dr. Sun Joo (Grace) Ahn, OIBR distinguished scholar, founding director of CACHE, and professor in UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. “We are honored to have our collaborative efforts recognized and look forward to continuing this work with communities across Georgia.”

CACHE’s work spans multiple colleges at UGA, including Journalism, Engineering, and Public Health, and focuses on using virtual, augmented, and mixed realities to address real-world issues, ranging from vaccine hesitancy and physical activity to storm preparedness and indoor air quality.

Highlighted projects include:

  • Virtual Fitness Buddy, a mixed-reality game promoting youth physical activity, supported by a $3.3 million NSF grant.

  • Weather the Storm, a VR simulation educating users on storm surge impacts, released with NOAA funding.

  • Collaborative research with Emory’s School of Nursing through the Center for Children’s Health Assessment, Research Translation, and Combating Environmental Risk.

OIBR affiliate Dr. Allen Tate, and CACHE director of biostatistics and associate professor in the College of Public Health, emphasized the long-term significance of this research: “The teamwork of CACHE challenges current approaches in preventive medicine and will have transformative effects on public health translational research over the next decade.”

The Georgia CTSA is a partnership among Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Tech, and UGA, and is supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Faculty Recognition 2025

 

Congratulations to the OIBR faculty who recently received awards:

Justin LavnerCreative Research Medal

Tom MoteFellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Yilang PengCharles B. Knapp Early Career Scholar Award

William PridemoreNamed Inaugural Marienthal Professor in Sociology

Glenna ReadRichard B. Russell Award of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Greg StraussWilliam A. Owens Creative Research Award

Jennifer ThompsonNon-Tenure Track Faculty Research Excellence Award

 

UGA-UoL Humanities and Social Sciences Seed Grant

2025 GUIDELINES

Deadline: Proposals are due by 5:00 pm (Eastern) on Friday, May 30, 2025.

Award Description
In support of the UGA-UoL Humanities and Social Sciences Summit, the UGA Office of Global Engagement is launching a one-time UGA-UoL Humanities and Social Sciences Seed Grant Program. The purpose of this support is to encourage the development of sustainable research collaboration or other joint activities aimed at generating extramural funding among UGA and University of Liverpool faculty within the humanities and social sciences. Two grants, one in the Humanities and one in the Social Sciences, each up to $15,000, will be awarded to support preliminary research and the preparation of external funding proposals. The Office of Global Engagement will provide $10,000, while the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences will each contribute $5,000.

Eligibility
• You must be a faculty member within the Humanities or Social Sciences.
• Each proposal must have one, at minimum, UGA investigator and one UoL investigator. Larger teams and interdisciplinary projects are encouraged.
• To be eligible, proposals must identify and commit to pursue specific sources of external funding as a result of the activities enabled by the seed grant.

Funding
• Grants will be in an amount of up to $15,000. Expenditures may include travel and other collaborative efforts, such as preliminary data collection, feasibility studies, and proposal preparation costs.
• Travel proposed must be necessary to the articulated output of the identified research collaboration.
• Proposals may be funded in an amount less than requested and investigators may request less than the maximum amount.

Required Proposal Content and Submission Instructions
The following proposal components are required and must be submitted via the online proposal form. The full proposal should be uploaded as a single PDF file. Save and return is not available so applicants should have documents prepared for upload prior to completing the form. Clicking “Submit” is a final transmission of the proposal.

Preliminary information entered on the proposal submission form:
• Title of project
• Name, affiliation, and email of UGA principal investigator (PI)
• Name, affiliation, and email of other UGA investigators
• Name, affiliation, and email of all UoL investigators

Upload as one PDF:
• Summary of planned project for non-expert (no more than 500 words)
• Description of preparatory activities to be funded by the grant (1/2 page max)
• Expected outcome of those activities, identifying by name the sponsor(s) and program(s) to which subsequent external funding requests will be submitted (1/2 page max)
• Budget, following the Faculty Research Grant Budget template found here: Faculty Research Grant Budget Template
• UGA PI’s curriculum vitae
• UoL PI’s curriculum vitae
• Submit proposals here by 5pm on May 30, 2025

Evaluation Criteria and Procedures
The Office of Global Engagement will coordinate vetting and approval of proposals. The following will be taken into account by the review teams:

• Quality of the proposal: The research project or other proposed joint activity presented in the proposal should be original, innovative, and clearly articulated.
• Importance and strategic fit: The proposal should explain the project’s significance beyond the borders of the discipline and indicate how it aligns with larger institutional priorities.
• Partnership development: The proposal should demonstrate the potential to develop sustainable collaborations between UGA and UoL. Proposals that include additional matching funding will be prioritized.
• Sustainability: The proposal must articulate a credible plan to attract additional external funding, linking the preparatory activities for which grant funding is requested to specific future funding submissions.

Award Conditions
Grants are expected to start on July 1, 2025, and funds are to be spent within the current fiscal year of the award (end June 2026). An outcome report will be due on July 1, 2026. These reports should focus on what was accomplished and the status of attempts to obtain external funding.

Contact for questions: Harper Davison.

Ron Simons Tribute

Ron Simons, Ph.D., Regents’ Professor in the department of sociology in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at UGA passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025. Simons had a long and fruitful collaboration with the Center for Family Research (CFR) over the years, and is leaving behind a profound legacy through his contributions to the field and support of other scholars’ work. He is survived by his spouse, collaborator, and colleague, Leslie Simons, Ph.D.

CFR’s director, Steven Beach, Ph.D., says, Simons “was a researcher’s researcher. He was fully engaged and enthusiastic about his research questions and never forgot the deep values that informed them.”

Simons started his career at Iowa State University and joined the department of sociology at the University of Georgia in 2002 with one year at Arizona State University in 2013. In over two decades at UGA, he brought in millions of dollars in research grants as a principal or co-investigator and produced over 300 peer-reviewed articles.

His work has made a major contribution to understanding the processes by which social experiences become biologically embedded and influence mental and physical health outcomes. Most recently, Simons turned his focus to how these experiences may contribute to dementia and was principal investigator on the project, “Stress, Weathering, and Blood-Based Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Longitudinal Study of Low Income, Aging African Americans,” funded by the National Institute on Aging.

While his highly cited research has had tremendous impact on medical sociology, understanding family influences on the life course, criminology, and the importance of socio-economic status on lifespan development, his presence on campus has been equally impactful. Man Kit (Karlo) Lei, associate professor in the department of sociology, worked with Simons as both a student, and later, as a colleague.

“Ron was my academic role model and a father-like figure,” he said, adding that Ron used his own life, even while going through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, as a teaching tool. “Until the very end, [Simons] remained committed to his work—studying how social factors shape later life, especially for minority groups…I am incredibly proud to have been his student and colleague.”

In the course of his career, Simons’ work has been lauded by numerous awards. Among them, he was selected as a Fellow in the American Academy for the Advancement of Science in 2023, named a Regents’ Professor at UGA in 2020, and chosen for the Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award in 2019. Upon receiving the SEC award, UGA President Jere Morehead said that Simons “has brought great distinction to the University of Georgia.”

He will be greatly missed.

Written by: David Pollock, Center for Family Research

2025 OIBR Pivot Fund

The OIBR Pivot Fund 2025 allows researchers to continue to conduct important work, while responding to the current funding climate. Funds can be used to collect data, purchase data sets or equipment, or for other needs, as identified by the investigator. Funds cannot be used for conference travel or personnel funding (faculty or student). The budget cannot exceed $5,000.

The application should contain: 1) one paragraph describing your current research; 2) one to two sentences explaining how you are pivoting your research; 3) one page describing the project for which you are seeking funding, your qualifications for conducting the proposed research, and intended external grant mechanism(s); 4) budget, budget justification, and timeline; and 5) a current CV.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the OIBR Leadership Team. Send applications (as a single pdf in the order listed above) to oibr@uga.edu, with the subject line “Pivot Funds.”

Recap: 2025 William A. Owens Lecture

Pictured L to R: Jody Clay-Warner, Steven Rogelberg, Jennifer McDowell

The Owens Institute for Behavioral Research hosted the 2025 Annual William A. Owens Lecture on February 27, 2025, featuring Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg, Chancellor’s Professor at UNC Charlotte. Hosted by Alan Flurry, Director of Communications with the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Rogelberg delivered an engaging talk on “The Surprising Science of Meetings,” offering research-backed insights into improving workplace meetings for efficiency, effectiveness, and employee well-being.

Held at the UGA Richard B. Russell Jr. Special Collections Library, the lecture attracted a diverse audience of faculty, and students, eager to learn from Dr. Rogelberg’s expertise. The event concluded with a reception, providing attendees with an opportunity for discussion and networking.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this insightful event! Stay tuned for details on next year’s lecture.