CAS in the Media | Washington State University

^{CAS in the Media} _{Arts and Sciences Media Headlines}

WSU ‘deadly force’ lab finds racial disparities in shootings

September 4, 2014

Participants in an innovative WSU study of deadly force were more likely to feel threatened in scenarios involving black people. But when it came time to shoot, participants were biased in favor of black suspects, taking longer to pull the trigger against them than against armed white or Hispanic suspects.

The findings, published in the recent Journal of Experimental Criminology, grow out of dozens of simulations aimed at explaining the disproportionate number of ethnic and racial minorities shot by police. The studies use the most advanced technology available, as participants with laser-equipped guns react to potentially threatening scenarios displayed in full-size, high-definition video.

Lois James and Bryan Vila, research professors in criminology and criminal justice at WSU Spokane, used a sophisticated “deadly force” simulator to analyze how police, military and the general public react in threatening situations.

Controversy over “Washington Redskins” team name remains unresolved

September 3, 2014

With the new National Football League season poised to kick off in early September, the Washington, D.C., franchise went to federal court Aug. 14 in an attempt to stem the hemorrhage of bad publicity and legal calamities the team encountered over the summer as it holds onto its racist nickname and logo which have been found to be offensive to Native Americans.

The team ownership and some of its fans insist they are “honoring” the bravery of Native Americans by imitating tribal dress and customs which for the most part they don’t understand. But C. Richard King, co-editor of Encyclopedia of Native Americans in Sports and professor of Critical Culture, Gender, and Race Studies at WSU, says those who believe that the name is an “honor” are simply holding onto a “sincere fiction.”

WSU Vancouver political scientist nabs grant to study climate risk governance

September 2, 2014

Mark Stephan, associate professor of political science at WSU Vancouver, is part of a collaborative research team receiving a National Science Foundation grant for a three-year study of state and local climate risk governance.

WSU Vancouver’s share of the grant, $99,646, will pay for data collection and field work in six states as well as the hiring of a research assistant for the three years. The research team presented initial analysis results at the American Political Science Association annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

The team analyzed the greenhouse gas emissions from more than 7,000 facilities in nine sectors. Preliminary results suggest that greater reductions in emissions are occurring in states with active governance related to climate change.

More details about the grant

WSU professor, Spokane Police featured in CNN segment on crisis intervention research

September 2, 2014

WSU professor of criminal justice Bryan Vila and the Spokane Police Department are featured in a CNN program for their collaboration on research into the physical and emotional responses of law enforcement in crisis situations.

As part of its “AC360” program hosted by Anderson Cooper, reporter Gary Tuchman visited a police confrontations lab run by students at WSU Spokane. Volunteers, including members of the Spokane Police Department, are placed in a virtual reality situation involving dramatizations of real-life confrontations, and their heart rate, brain waves and other vital signs are monitored as they make decisions about use of force.

Find out more and watch the program segment online

Sept. 1: Tri-Cities exhibit to feature Northwest wood creations

August 30, 2014

“Wood Creations,” a month-long exhibit by 14 Pacific Northwest artists featuring art made primarily from wood, will open Sept. 1 at WSU Tri-Cities.

Located at the Art Center in the WSU Tri-Cities Consolidated Information Center, 2710 Crimson Way, in Richland, the exhibit will showcase 36 works reflecting a variety of techniques and proficiencies.

Peter Christenson, WSU assistant professor of fine arts and curator of the Art Center, said a number of the 14 exhibiting artists will also be on hand to discuss their works at the exhibit’s opening reception, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sept. 9.

Learn more about “Wood Creations”