FIRST STEVEN D. MANNERS AWARD RECIPIENTS NAMED BY PITT'S CENTER FOR SOCIAL AND URBAN RESEARCH

July 12, 2001

PITTSBURGH—Pitt's University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR) has awarded the first Steven D. Manners Faculty Development Awards, established in memory of the center's assistant director, who died in September 2000, at age 49.

The awardees are: Paul E. Griffiths, professor of the history and philosophy of science, for a proposed study testing competing analyses of the gene concept in contemporary molecular biology; and Miriam Hertz, assistant professor of health information management/rehabilitation science and technology, for a qualitative research study of Pittsburgh residents disabled from intentional street violence.

Griffiths intends to conduct preliminary tests with existing data of various conceptualizations of the gene and will develop a proposal for National Science Foundation funding for a major project involving leading researchers across the country.

According to a reviewer who read Griffiths' proposal, "On one level, it (the project) will throw light on a question of some significant interest to philosophers of biology and … to biologists themselves. Just what is a gene … (The project) is also very interesting at a deeper, methodological level. Explication of terms like 'gene' is a standard philosophical project."

Hertz plans to gather data based on interviews with 20 African American residents of Pittsburgh who have been disabled as a result of intentional street violence. This will include recording life histories before and after the incident, and gauging victims' uses of public and private social services and their attitudes toward their disabilities.

It is hoped the results will lead to a better understanding of issues and problems related to assisting victims of street violence.

Another reviewer said of Hertz's project, "The proposed study addresses a critical issue in medicine and public health. We need much more knowledge about those individuals who survive street violence."

UCSUR established the faculty development awards program to honor Manners, who began working at the center in 1974 and served as its assistant director from 1989 until his death.

The award, according to UCSUR Director Richard Schulz, was intended to "continue the trend begun by Manners, which was to support faculty members and their research and to improve the research infrastructure at the University."

UCSUR plans to offer annually two awards of up to $10,000 each. Faculty may apply for the awards in two categories, both relating to work in the social, behavioral, and policy sciences: a research and development grant to support pilot research, and an infrastructure development award aimed at enhancing faculty capabilities to carry out interdisciplinary research.

Full-time faculty from all the University's campuses are invited to apply. Preference is given to junior faculty

in the Arts and Sciences or provost-area professional schools, and at regional campuses.

Those interested in having information mailed to them about applying for next year's awards can contact the center at 412/624-5442.

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