Research
WRIN is dedicated to creating, supporting, and amplifying scholarship related to gender and sexuality. We seek to engage in research endeavors that will have an impact—both on academic knowledge and in applied contexts such as families, schools, and workplaces.
2024-2027 Priority Areas
Gender Equity in STEM Fields
Currently, the U.S. faces a critical workforce shortage in sectors related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This problem is compounded by women’s underrepresentation in STEM fields—particularly those related to technology and math. There is a crucial need to develop and scale evidence-based strategies for promoting gender equity in STEM fields.
Gender, Social Media, and Mental Health
Social media’s rapid expansion into young people’s daily lives has outpaced research that examines its implications for developing minds. The evidence that does exist suggests that social media exposure may have negative implications for psychosocial wellbeing among youth in general and particularly among girls. Additional research is desperately needed to better understand these implications and whether they differ as a function of gender identity.
Girls and Women in Sport
Involvement in sport is associated with a range of physical and psychological benefits for girls and women. Additional evidence shows that a high percentage of women in industry leadership positions played competitive sports and perceive their athletic background as central to their success. Despite these benefits, girls participate in sports at lower rates than boys do. Las Vegas is a hotbed for successful professional and collegiate women’s sports teams, making it the ideal place to implement evidence-based initiatives that promote sports participation among girls and women.
Gender Equity Programs: Consultation and Evaluation
WRIN is enthusiastic about supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs that aim to foster gender equity at UNLV and in the Las Vegas community. To be effective, these programs need to be (1) guided by empirically established best practices and (2) systematically evaluated. WRIN’s team of social scientists can help.
To schedule a consultation, complete our General Interest form.
Research Briefs
WRIN regularly produces research briefs about issues related to gender. These briefs, which are often student-led, are designed to provide community members and policy-makers with a succinct overview of key issues related to gender at the local, national, and global levels. Our briefs cover topics in areas such as mental health, higher education, and reproductive access.
Research on Women in Leadership
WRIN has a longstanding history of supporting and celebrating women in leadership positions. This is perhaps best reflected in the oral histories that were produced under the guidance WRIN’s previous directors: Joanne Goodwin and Caryll Batt Dziedziak. These oral histories highlight women’s contributions to our state in areas such as community-building, entertainment, education, politics, gaming, and activism. The histories are part of the Las Vegas Oral History Project, which is housed in the Lied Library Special Collections Department.