University of Wisconsin–Madison

Month: February 2026

Housing and Consumption: Existing Tensions and Future Directions in Understanding Housing Search and Selection

Research Handbook on the Sociology of Consumption (ed. Jennifer Smith Maguire) (2026) Author: Max Besbris

Improving Diversity in Research: Successes and Limitations of Research Team Education in Fostering Inclusive Recruitment Practices and Community Voice

Accountability in Research (2026) Authors: Susan Racine Passmore, Roger Brown, Morgan Medina, Kat Phelps, Mariana Garcia & Gina Green-Harris Abstract: Background: The lack of diversity in research participation poses a threat to health equity and the ethical principle of justice. Yet few evidence-based interventions exist. This study compared two educational programs for research teams, designed …

Exploring Dimensions of Disability Disclosure: Navigating the Interplay of Visibility, Stigma, and Severity

Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal (2026) Authors: Jina Chun, Sang Qin, Kyesha Isadore, Muharrem Koc, Cassie Xu, Hamsaa Kaarthik Abstract: Disability disclosure is a complex and consequential decision-making process, shaped by personal and social factors such as stigma, visibility, and severity of one’s condition. Understanding how these factors influence disclosure behaviors is essential for developing …

Family Work Among the Astors

British Journal of Sociology (2026) Authors: Shamus Khan, Max Besbris, Estela Diaz Abstract: Within classical sociological accounts of capitalism, families are curious remnants of the past. Contemporary elite sociology dismisses the family in a different way: by primarily focusing on individual men. When the family does appear within elite studies, scholars frequently follow a stratification framework, …

Fleeting Generalization: How Unstable Belief Updating Keeps People Overly Pessimistic About Talking to Strangers

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2026) Authors: Stav Atir and Nicholas Epley Abstract: Conversations with strangers and weak ties tend to be positive experiences, and yet research suggests a reliable tendency to hold overly pessimistic expectations about such conversations. We examine how people update their beliefs after talking with strangers to understand how people’s miscalibrated …

Study led by Sue Robinson finds emphasis on conversation facilitation helps journalists re-engage communities

A recent article at Phys.org covers a newly released study that explores how a change in the way journalism students are taught can help them to better engage communities. The study, led by IDS affiliate Sue Robinson and colleagues Magarita Orozco and Lori Shontz, analyzes the impact of a conversation facilitation training program for journalism …

Kaiping Chen named to NASEM’s New Voices 2026 Cohort

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine have announced that IDS affiliate Kaiping Chen, an associate professor in the Department of Life Sciences Communication, has been selected of one of 20 members of the New Voices in Science, Engineering, and Medicine program for 2026. Chen is a science communication scholar with expertise in deliberative democracy …

Transness is our salve: How trans identity facilitates healing from relational trauma with parental figures

Journal of Traumatic Stress (2026) Authors: Joonwoo Lee, Sebastian Barr, Alberta M. Gloria, Tonya J. Roberts, Stephanie L. Budge Abstract: Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals experience high rates of relational trauma from parental figures, yet their pathways to healing remain underexplored. This qualitative study used constructivist grounded theory to develop a theoretical framework of how …

Risk of dementia and related neurocognitive disorders among autistic and non-autistic older adults: Role of established risk factors

Age and Ageing (2026) Authors: Melica Nikahd, Madison Hyer, Beth Wolf, Brian Patterson, Lauren Bishop, Brittany Hand Abstract:  Background Neurocognitive disorders (i.e. dementia) are a leading cause of cognitive decline and loss of independence among older adults. While reported rates are higher among autistic adults, it is unclear whether this disparity persists after accounting for …

Trace Methods: Probing the Apparatus

Digital Trace Data Research in Information Systems (2026) Authors: Carsten Østerlund  and Corey B. Jackson  Abstract: Digital trace data has become increasingly attractive as a source of insight for understanding and evaluating human behavior in computer information systems. Trace data provide rich insights into organizational practices and human behaviors but pose significant methodological challenges due …