President Washington will hold an academic unit town hall with faculty and staff from across the university on September 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Johnson Center Cinema.

Time is almost out to recognize your colleagues! Submit nominations for the 2025 CHSS Staff & A/P Faculty Recognition Awards, including the 2025 Mary Roper Award, by 11:59 p.m., October 17, using the streamlined online form.

Nominations for the 2025 CHSS Staff & A/P Faculty Advisory Council are open through October 24. Nominate yourself or a colleague and help shape the future of our community.

The 2026 CHSS Community and Catalysts awardees will be celebrated on November 7 Horizon Hall. Faculty and staff are invited to attend and are encouraged to RSVP.

George Mason’s 2025 midcycle check-in period is now open through November 11. This optional process is a chance to reflect on progress, celebrate accomplishments, and strengthen communication with your supervisor. Learn what to expect, review participation requirements, and join an upcoming Q&A session to prepare.

Together with Claude Moore Opportunities and the ConnerStrong Foundation, CCMH hosted a training led by Sources of Strength—a nationally renowned, evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health program—for George Mason clinical psychology students. Program curriculum will be implemented in local schools across Virginia to improve mental health among youth populations.

Martin Wiener, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, has received a multi-year award from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to explore how the brain processes time when looking at images, with important implications for understanding memory, learning, and visual perception.

Effective October 10, all faculty who plan to submit grant proposals to the NSF must complete research security training modules before submitting a proposal. The Research Security Training is designed to raise awareness of, and protect against, external threats and risks to U.S.-funded research that supports research activities at George Mason.

The Office of Sponsored Programs has developed a resource to support faculty with guidance as to how a government shutdown can impact university research.

The National Humanities Alliance, in collaboration with the American Council of Learned Societies, and with funding from the National Science Foundation, is conducting a landscape survey of humanities-STEM research collaborations that address ecological challenges. CHSS faculty are encouraged to take a moment to complete this survey, which is estimated to take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.

The Folger Institute in Washington, D.C., will offer several programs in spring 2026, including Early Modern Numeracy, directed by George Mason professor Jessica Otis. The application deadline for the spring 2026 programs is October 20.

Gracie Valdez, BA Art History '07, serves as the artistic director for the Cirque du Soleil production LUZIA, which is performing outside of Tysons Galleria through October 18.

Forbes says The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism dismantles myths that have clouded public discourse and policymaking for decades.

Zagarri discusses the pivotal role women played in the “social media” of their time.

Kashdan discusses the power of principled dissent and curiosity in leadership.

Cowen’s Emergent Ventures is also mentioned.