Nicholas Bowman, professor of higher education and student affairs in the College of Education and a CSSI researcher affiliate, recently published a study examining which characteristics of academic journal articles were associated with being cited in other research articles. Bowman found associations between citation counts and several article characteristics, including its cost to access, length, and title construction.

Sylvia Mikucki-Enyart, associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies and CSSI researcher affiliate, researches how families communicate through life's expected and unexpected traditions.

The Injury and Violence Prevention Research Accelerator Program (RAP), a new initiative from the Injury and Prevention Research Center (IPRC) and the Center for Social Science Innovation (CSSI), is designed to support early-career researchers in developing competitive injury and violence prevention research proposals. Through research development, collaborative networking, and grant-writing support, RAP will help scholars strengthen their work and position for external funding. A key objective of the program is for each scholar to fully develop a pilot grant or larger-scale proposal that is well-positioned for submission. Applications are due October 12, 2026.

The launch of the University of Iowa’s “APPstinence Club” is sparking conversations about technology, well-being, and social connection. Jonathan Platt, assistant professor in the College of Public Health and CSSI researcher affiliate, weighed in on the role social media plays in students’ lives and the value of occasionally unplugging.

CSSI researcher affiliate Cherrie Kwok, assistant professor of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, focuses her research and teaching on English-language literature from around the world, spanning the 19th century to the present. She examines themes of race, gender, and empire through the perspectives of writers from formerly colonized nations and modern reinterpretations of novels written during the height of the British Empire.

Ece Demir-Lira, CSSI researcher affiliate, studies how children's brains and environments work together to shape learning. Read the story from CLAS.

Caroline Tolbert is recognized with the Frank J. Goodnow Award for her sustained service to the profession of political science. The award is presented annually by the American Political Science Association.

Isaac Petersen, CLAS researcher and CSSI researcher affiliate, draws on his experience as a preschool teacher to better understand behavior issues and improve early prevention efforts. Read the story from CLAS.

The Affiliate Research Studio provides CSSI researcher affiliates with office space in the Social Sciences Research Building to support focused research and foster collaborative connections. Participants receive a private office; opportunities for networking and collaboration, including facilitated introductions to researchers whose expertise aligns with their work; and proximity to CSSI staff, services, and programs. Through the Studio, CSSI aims to create a physical gathering point for affiliates and strengthen the social science research community across campus. Apply by Sept. 11 for the next eight-week studio appointment (Sept. 28-Nov. 20).

The Center for Social Science Innovation (CSSI) serves as the University of Iowa’s hub for interdisciplinary social science research, connecting researchers through residency programs, writers’ circles, workshops, and social events. Those interactions lead to new research ideas, funded projects, and mentoring relationships, and, ultimately, high-impact social science research. The experiences of several affiliates illustrate how connections made through CSSI initiatives can grow into lasting collaborations.