Photos from the 2024 Homecoming Picnic
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Psychology Homecoming Picnic! Click the picture below to view a larger version, and click here to access a gallery of photos from the event. We hope to see you at the next Homecoming Picnic on October 3, 2025!
Faculty Research Spotlight: Germine Awad
Germine Awad, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor of Psychology
Invisible in America: Why Updated U.S. Census Race and Ethnicity Categories Are So Important
The U.S. Census is the federal government’s primary method of collecting demographic data, including about race and ethnicity. These data help the government identify disparities between groups and allocate resources equitably. However, Professor Germine Awad and other researchers argue that Census categories for race and ethnicity are outdated and inaccurate for some demographics, including many people of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent. Now, after years of research and advocacy by Awad and others, the 2030 Census will feature new and updated race and ethnicity categories—the first such change in nearly 50 years. Read more about the upcoming changes
Pollack Family's Generous Gift Establishes New Lecture Series
Stanley Pollack (BGS: 1975), Sharron Pollack (BFA: 1971, MFA: 1973), and Phyllis Pollack (BS: 1972)
Irwin Pollack Lecture Series Will Feature World-Class Speakers on Psychophysics, Cognition, and Perception
Professor Irwin (Irv) Pollack was a groundbreaking researcher of human auditory processing whose work influenced fields such as broadcasting and recording standards, headphone and speaker design, and hearing-aid development. He was also a beloved mentor and colleague known for his devoted attendance and support at Departmental talks, even long after he officially retired. When Pollack passed away in 2021, his children—Stanley, Sharron, and Phyllis—decided to honor his legacy with a gift to establish a lecture series in his name. Beginning in 2025, the Irwin Pollack Lecture Fund will enable the Department to bring in world-class lecturers in the fields of psychophysics, cognition, and perception. Read more about Pollack and the new series
Alumni Spotlight: Daniel A. Wagner
Daniel A. Wagner, (PhD: Developmental Psychology, 1976) UNESCO Chair in Learning and Literacy and Founding Director of the International Literacy Institute, University of Pennsylvania
How Daniel A. Wagner Went from Engineering Student to UNESCO Chair of Learning and Literacy
Daniel A. Wagner is a Professor of Education, UNESCO Chair of Learning and Literacy, and Founding Director of the International Literacy Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. But his journey from engineering undergraduate to Michigan’s Developmental Psychology program and onto international leadership in educational studies was neither typical nor straightforward. Along the way, coincidences, opportunities, and the crucial support of open-minded mentors at U-M and elsewhere helped him forge a unique career of helping others around the world. Read more of Wagner’s story
Alumni: Share Your Career Experience
We would love to hear from alumni who have pursued careers in psychology or in other fields! If you would like to share your post-graduate career experience, please contact us.
Faculty in the News: Ashley Gearhardt Testifies Before U.S. House of Representatives
Ashley Gearhardt, Professor of Psychology in the Clinical Science Area, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means (Health Subcommittee) on September 18, 2024. Gearhardt spoke about the rising obesity epidemic and its roots in dramatically increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods over the past few decades. View Gearhardt's testimony
Alumni in the News: Hannah Feng
Recent alum and Fulbright recipient Hannah Feng (BA: Psychology and International Studies, 2024) was featured on Fulbright Canada's website for her project “Dismantling Stigma: Youth Mental Health Ambassadors for Newcomer Youth in Canada.” According to Fulbright's page, Feng's work "aims to create culturally responsive interventions, enhancing care-seeking attitudes and community resilience." Congratulations and great work, Hannah! Read more about Feng and other featured grantees
Martin Sarter Retirement Dinner
Martin Sarter, the Charles M. Butter Collegiate Professor Emeritus of Psychology, retired May 31, 2024, after 20 years in the Department. In October, the Biopsychology area celebrated his career with a dinner at the Gandy Dancer restaurant in Ann Arbor. A group of about 40 friends, trainees, and colleagues from all over the world gathered to toast (and roast) Sarter in a sendoff that had everyone in attendance laughing. Afterwards, Sarter wrote: “I learned two things from this event. First, my prior trainees are comedians. I had thought folks self-selected for my lab mainly to sharpen an already strong and sturdy personality. Wrong, it was all about practicing stand-up comedy dominated by sardonic humor, catalyzed by my lovely personality. And, second, the same is true for my faculty colleagues. Thank you all for the laughs, the love, and, most importantly, thank you for tolerating me all these years. I can't wait to see what you accomplish next – and to watch it from the safe distance of our northern Michigan orchards and beaches.”
Exploring the Mind Talks
A monthly series of talks by U-M Psychology faculty. All Winter 2025 talks will be held in-person at the Ann Arbor District Library's downtown branch. Talks will be recorded and made available for later online viewing. Details about each talk will be sent separately, so stay tuned! Visit the Psychology Community Talks page for up-to-date info and to view past presentations.
Exploring the Mind Talks
Giving Blueday is March 19! This year, our efforts again focus on providing broad support to undergraduate and graduate students. Your gift will help Psychology students from their first day in the department until the day they graduate, bringing with them not only their degrees but also a trove of transferable skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Please visit our Giving Blueday page for more information.
