Nebraska Department of Sociology

Check out the latest Nebraska Snapshot from the Bureau of Sociological Research!

Snapshot: Nebraskans' satisfaction down since COVID, recovery stalled The latest Nebraska Snapshot shows that in early 2020, more than half — 56% — of Nebraskans reported being very satisfied. Since 2022, that number has held steady at 39%.

Sociologist Seulki Kim is teaming up with engineers and health scientists to study microplastics and nanoplastics in everyday drinks and find out how much we consume.

⬇️
Critical concept: the release rate of plastic particles into liquids under different conditions. Understanding these differences could guide manufacturers toward safer designs and help consumers make more informed choices.

⬇️
Researchers also need to study how these particles interact with the body.

⬇️
An advanced laser-based technique can produce the particles needed for the study in hours instead of months and years.

⬇️
The team aims to translate their findings into practical guidance. By identifying how daily habits influence exposure, the team hopes to provide evidence-based recommendations - including collaborating with manufacturers and communicating to early childhood educators.

⬇️
Backed by a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

📰
Read the full story on Nebraska Today.

Nebraska Department of Sociology
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

BOSR will be at AAPOR 2026!

Thursday, May 14, 9:30-11:00 AM: Jolene D. Smyth and Kristen Olson. One Question or Two? Evaluation of Gradational Gender Scales across Four Surveys.

Thursday, May 14, 9:30-11:00 AM: Kristen Olson. Sponsored by the Survey Costs Workshop - Survey Costs: An Update from the Recent Workshop.

Thursday, May 14, 4:00-5:30 PM: Amanda Ganshert & Kristen Olson. Is Smaller Better? Experimenting with Envelope Sizes and Visible Incentives to Increase Response Rates and Data Quality.

Friday, May 15 8:30-10:00 AM. Kristen Olson and Amanda Ganshert. Representation of Rural America: Perspectives on Survey Design, Identity, and Estimation.

Congratulations to our 2026 undergraduate award winners!
⭐️An Nguyen - Alan P. Bates Outstanding Undergraduate Award
⭐️Aida Burks - Hoyt Campus Engagement Scholarship
⭐️Sarah Sutton - UNL Opportunity Scholarship in Sociology & Alice Lou Crank Scholarship
⭐️Hannah Borrell - Vanetta Aaron Outstanding Undergraduate Student Paper
Not pictured: Kelly Dinh (Alice Frost Howard Memorial Scholarship) & Meghan Dupré (UNL Opportunity Scholarship in Sociology)

Go Big Grad! Smiling faces from Friday's Graduate School commencement. Grads Luka Lazishvili MA, Jessica Phelps MA, Makenna Nail PhD, & Shadrach Sackey MA, along with Profs Regina Werum & Julia McQuillan.

Congratulations to our M.A. graduates receiving diplomas today!
⭐️Luka Lazishvili, "Divided We Stand: Exploring Public Perception of Georgia's Political System"
⭐️Jessica Phelps, "Substance Use and Childhood Environment in Adolescent Head Injury: Examining the Effects of Race"
⭐️Shadrach Sackey, "Social Bonds and Dynamic Risk in Predicting Juvenile Recidivism Among Florida Probation Youth"

Finals week is here. Take it one exam at a time—you've got this!

TODAY! A virtual visit and timely presentation from alum and former faculty memeber Dr. Deadric Williams.

Our Health Equity Grand Rounds with Dr. Deadric Williams is only one week away! Register today to join us for his presentation on “Systemic Racism and the Three M’s of Racial Inequality: Implications for Health Disparities.” The event is free and open to all!

🗓️ April 30, 2026 | 12:00-1:30 PM CT | Zoom

Register here: https://ow.ly/hIo950Yj0tT

NASIS | Bureau of Sociological Research | Nebraska The Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey The Nebraska Annual Social Indicators SurveyThe NASIS is an omnibus survey where a representative sample of Nebraskans are asked to give their opinion on a variety of topics and issues. Participants are ages 19 and older selected randomly from across the....

Today at 12:30! "Panelists will discuss their research projects that highlight how cross-disciplinary methods enhance their research and have been supported by academic survey research services."

BOSR hosting panel discussion on value of survey research The Bureau of Sociological Research is hosting a panel of University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers at 1 p.m. April 22 in the Ubuntu Room of the Gaughan Center on City Campus. This panel will discuss how survey research and other research methods enhance and inform their research and teaching acros...