Department of Sociology
Gary Gereffi, Duke Professor Emeritus of Sociology Briefs Congress on Supply Chain Resiliency Gary Gereffi, professor emeritus of sociology and founding director of the Duke Global Value Chains Center visited the nation’s capital on July 15, 2021, to brief Congress on global supply chain resiliency. “Recent disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have brought both the significance and risks of supply chains to the American consciousness as never before…It has resulted in unprecedented supply shortages and demand… read more about Gary Gereffi Briefs Congress on Supply Chain Resiliency »
Doha Ali, a 2021 Duke graduate who majored in sociology and economics, was selected for a three year term on the university’s governing body. Ali will serve as an observer her first year, then as a trustee with voting privileges for the remainder of her term. Click here to read full article. read more about Sociology 2021 graduate Doha Ali appointed to Duke’s Board of Trustees »
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article on debt-to-earnings ratio for different majors across 123 universities. Duke Sociology ranked #1 for undergraduate majors in sociology with the lowest debt. Click here to read full article. read more about Duke Sociology Ranked #1 for Undergraduate Majors with the Lowest Debt »
On Monday July 12, 2021, Liann H. Yamashita successfully defended her dissertation entitled, “Quiet Neglect: Southeast Asian Refugees Amidst U.S. Denial.” The Committee to conduct the examination consisted of Eduardo Bonilla-Silva (Chair), Tyson Brown, Mai Thi Nguyen, and Jessi Streib. read more about Liann H. Yamashita Defends Dissertation »
Mark Chaves, Anne Firor Scott Distinguished Professor of Sociology Mark Chaves created the National Congregations Study, a methodologically innovative national survey of local places of worship --churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples --from across the religious spectrum. The NCS, now in its fourth wave, has become the authoritative source of information about American congregations, extensively used by scholars, journalists, and policy makers, and serving as a model for studies of congregations around… read more about Chaves Awarded Distinguished Professorship »
On Wednesday July 7, 2021, Taylor Whitten Brown successfully defended her dissertation entitled, “Qualities or Inequalities?: How Gender Shapes Value in the Market for Contemporary Art.” Her committee consisted of Christopher Bail (co-chair), James Moody (co-chair), Mor Naaman, Lynn Smith-Lovin, Martin Ruef, and Stephan Vaisey. Taylor has accepted a Research Scientist/Software Engineer position on the Core Data Science team at Facebook. There, she will develop methods for measuring social inequalities, and continue an… read more about Brown Defends Dissertation, Accepts Position with Facebook »
Along with his collaborators, Duke sociology student Pei Yi Zhuo presents findings from “Race and Home Values in Durham, North Carolina: 1940-2020” on July 20, 2021, at the Data-Intensive Research Conference. The conference is hosted by the University of Minnesota and showcases innovative research that analyzes full count census data. In addition to Zhuo, authors include Omer Ali, Nicholas Datto, Clinton Boyd, and William Darity. read more about Sociology Undergraduate Major, Pei Yi Zhuo, Presents Research »
In 2003, Eduardo Bonilla-Silva published what would prove his seminal work of academic scholarship: Racism Without Racists. In it, the sociologist – then at Texas A&M University – challenged the notion that the United States existed as a color-blind society. The book made a splash within academia and beyond, setting the table for countless conversations about race, systemic racism and many of the divisions that continue to plague society in the US and elsewhere. Bonilla-Silva came to Duke in 2005 and since has… read more about After a Career of Challenging Racial Myths, Eduardo Bonilla-Silva Isn't Slowing Down »
Duke University has awarded distinguished professorships to 22 faculty members representing seven Duke colleges and schools. “Our honorees are recognized as international leaders in a diverse range of fields,” said President Vincent Price. “Their research has already had a significant impact on broader society, helping to improve lives and shape our understanding of the world.” The honorees are the “successors of faculty leaders who helped define the university’s commitment to ethical scholarship, leadership and public… read more about Duke Awards 22 Distinguished Professorships »
When he was an undergraduate political science student, Kerry Haynie was never taught about the 1921 Tulsa massacre. Nor was there much discussion about the role of race in the founding political documents of this country or much examination of how race influenced public services such as sewer lines and zoning. In one sense, a lot has changed. In 2021, Duke’s faculty includes a strong lineup of leading scholars who examine how race is embedded in issues that cross all the schools of the university. This fall, many of… read more about University Course Raises Race as a Central Element of Undergraduate Education »
Congratulations to Professor Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, the recipient of ASA’s 2021 W.E.B. Du Bois Career of Distinguished Scholarship Award. Click here to read article. read more about Sociology Professor Bonilla-Silva, recipient of ASA’s 2021 W.E.B. Du Bois Career of Distinguished Scholarship Award. »
New Faculty Join NCSP Core Leadership Team The Duke site of the National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) welcomes new faculty leadership as it enters its third year as part of this national consortium. Dr. Naomi Duke is joining the NCSP as the School of Medicine Program Director and currently serves as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, as well as Lecturer of Sociology in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Click here to read full article. read more about Sociology Lecturer, Dr. Naomi Duke, Joins Duke National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) »
Colin Birkhead has been named the 2020-2021 Graduate Teaching Award Recipient. The Graduate Teaching Award is presented each year to a graduate student selected for excellence in teaching as an individual instructor or as a teaching assistant. read more about Birkhead Receives Teaching Award »
Christina Kamis has been named the 2020-2021 Vorsanger-Smith Scholar. The Vorsanger-Smith Scholar Award is presented annually to recognize overall excellence in the graduate program. Excellence is assessed for all areas of performance in the programs, including coursework, examinations, professional presentations, publications and awards, evaluated contributions as teaching and/or research assistants and departmental citizenship. The award consists of the honorary designation during the following academic year as the… read more about Kamis named Vorsanger-Smith Scholar »
The Department of Sociology recognizes and congratulates those students receiving their graduate degree in Sociology during the 2020-21 academic year. read more about Congratulations New Ph.D's! »
EIGHT DUKE SCHOLARS EXAMINING THE MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC When the world shifted abruptly in March 2020, so too did the research programs of many Duke scholars. Faculty members in myriad fields began gathering real-time data about the pandemic, including several scholars who analyzed various aspects of its psychological impact and are working to bring help to those most affected. Click here to read full article. read more about Meet Tyson Brown and other Duke researchers who are supporting others’ wellbeing during this difficult time »
When the world shifted abruptly in March 2020, so too did the research programs of many Duke scholars. Faculty members in myriad fields began gathering real-time data about the pandemic, including several scholars who analyzed various aspects of its psychological impact and are working to bring help to those most affected. Here are a few examples: The COVID-19 Family Study and Coping Together Program Eve Puffer, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience and global health, has spent much of her career building… read more about Eight Duke Scholars Examining the Mental Health Effects of the Pandemic »
Anna Holleman, Ph.D. student in sociology (U.S. Immigration Climate and Mental Health Outcomes of Latinx Immigrants) is a finalist for the 2021 Bass Connections Award for Outstanding Mentorship. Click here to read article read more about Anna Holleman finalist for the 2021 Bass Connections Award for Outstanding Mentorship »
While social media platforms can employ algorithms and other tools to help improve the level of public debate, the best way to decrease outrage and polarization is for everyone involved to be responsible for their own online behavior, three Duke experts said Wednesday. Speaking to journalists during a digital media briefing, the three scholars discussed civility, the powers and limits of big platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and the many misperceptions people have about those on the ‘other side’ of the political divide… read more about Don’t Like Online Outrage? Look Inward »
Graduate and professional programs across the university also scored impressive rankings in the U.S. News & World Report annual ranking of graduate programs released today. Duke University School of Medicine rose to third among 122 medical schools in the nation for research. In addition to the medical research rating, seven specialty programs in the School of Medicine placed in the top 10: Surgery (second); Anesthesiology (fourth); Internal Medicine (fifth); Radiology (sixth); Pediatrics (seventh, tied); Obstetrics… read more about Duke Graduate Programs Score High In Latest US News Rankings »