UCI hires new social science dean

Deirdre Newman

The school of social sciences has hired one of its own, a

nationally known expert on the mechanics of how the mind works, as

its new dean.

Barbara Dosher was named dean in July and replaces William

Schonfeld, who ran the school for two decades.

While Schonfeld had the longevity to build the school into one of

the university’s crown jewels, Dosher said she would like to continue

the focus on excellence maintained by her predecessor. The school

graduates the largest number of the university’s undergraduates and

boasts a highly distinguished faculty.

“I’m starting from an extremely strong base, but I still hope to

expand growth in some areas,” Dosher said.

Dosher came to UC Irvine in 1992, after serving 15 years on the

faculty at Columbia University in New York. She was originally

attracted to the university because, she said, the cognitive science

department is one of the best in the country for quantitative and

mathematical approaches to psychology.

Being dean appealed to her because of the college’s focus on

collaboration and the opportunity to expand programs.

“I think today there’s a very large value in interdisciplinary

programs and activities,” Dosher said. “I’m often quite interested in

hiring people to serve in their own department, but who are also

interested in an interdisciplinary [approach].”

Greg Hickok, an associate professor of cognitive science, said

Dosher made quality hires and moved the cognitive science department

forward during her tenure as chair. He believes Dosher will make an

outstanding dean because she has an intimate understanding of the

school and how to raise its profile.

“One of the things about this school is that we have a lot of

extremely good people here but we tend to be under-advertised,”

Hickok said. “[Dosher] has a good sense, having been in the

department and seen the school operate.”

One of Dosher’s goals is to continue providing research

opportunities for undergrads. She co-directed the undergraduate

honors program in psychology, which allowed them to work with faculty

mentors on a research project.

“Although it was a very strong classroom offering, the research

opportunity was very direct ... personal exposure to faculty,” Dosher

said.

It also afforded students a chance to give presentations based on

their research, making the entire experience a valuable preparation

for graduate school and the business world, Dosher said.

Dosher would also like to see the school’s graduate student

population increase so it is more balanced with the number of

undergraduates.

“It’s especially important because it adds to the research

vitality of the institution but can also provide lots of advantages

for undergrads,” Dosher said.

Dosher will continue teaching some graduate courses in the next

few years and will eventually rotate into undergrad teaching as well.

“I especially enjoy classes where I can have some interchange with

students,” Dosher said.

Dosher, who is in her early 50s, lives in Irvine.