April 29, 2010
I am pleased to announce that Richard Appelbaum and Nelson Lichtenstein have been named recipients of the MacArthur Foundation chairs. Nelson Lichtenstein is Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Study of Work, Labor, and Democracy. Richard Appelbaum is Professor of Sociology and Global and International Studies and Director of the MA Program in Global and International Studies.
The two MacArthur Foundation chairs were awarded to the UC Santa Barbara campus for a period of 5 years. The campus sought to fill these chairs in areas that align with the goals of the MacArthur Foundation, which “works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society.” Proposals and nominations were called for and submitted, and an ad hoc committee comprised of existing chair holders across various disciplines at UC Santa Barbara reviewed a very strong pool of nominees. Profs. Appelbaum and Lichtenstein were selected from this process as the chair recipients.
Profs. Lichtenstein and Appelbaum will use the resources made available by the MacArthur Chairs to pursue programs focused on the theme, “Human Rights in the Workplace: At Home and Abroad.” Along these lines, at least three high-profile conferences will be held. Topics include an evaluation of the work of the International Labor Organization, a historical and comparative look at guest worker programs, and evaluation of evolving labor conditions, laws, and enforcement in emerging economies such as China. The chair resources will also be used to support research and graduate students working in areas that intersect this theme.
Please join me in congratulating Profs. Appelbaum and Lichtenstein. We look forward to the many contributions that they will make nationally and internationally as well as on our campus as the MacArthur Foundation Chairs at UC Santa Barbara.
Gene Lucas
Executive Vice Chancellor