Department of Sociology
Duke University’s Board of Trustees passed a Resolution of Tribute and Naming to honor Linda K. George’s many contributions to Duke University. The resolution includes the naming of a new space in the Rueben-Cooke Building on West Campus to foster intellectual and social camaraderie in the Department of Sociology. The new space will be called the Linda K. George Faculty Commons. Read the full text of the resolution here. read more about Board of Trustees pass Resolution in Honor of Linda K. George »
THE PURPOSE PROJECT AT DUKE ANNOUNCES RACE AND THE PROFESSIONS FELLOWS The Purpose Project at Duke has announced the inaugural cohort of the Race and the Professions Fellowship, a year-long program that will explore the challenges of racial inequities and the work of antiracism in the professions, the broader community, and the world. Click here to read entire article. read more about Peoples Wins Race and the Professions Fellowship »
Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke came to Duke in 1963 as one of the “First Five” Black undergraduates, breaking barriers and entering classroom buildings that had previously been closed to Black students. Now, her legacy as a pioneer at Duke and as a leading lawyer, law professor, university administrator and trustee for both Duke University and The Duke Endowment, will be celebrated by the renaming of one of those classroom buildings after her. The Duke Board of Trustees voted Saturday to rename the Sociology-Psychology Building… read more about Iconic West Campus Building Named After a Duke Pioneer »
At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, there were lots of stories about scrappy manufacturers promising to revamp their factories to start making personal protective equipment in the U.S. Back in the spring, fuel-cell maker Adaptive Energy retooled part of its factory in Ann Arbor, Mich., to make plastic face shields. Now, 100,000 finished shields are piling up in cardboard boxes on the factory floor — unsold. Click here to read the entire article. read more about Why Can't America Make Enough N95 Masks? 6 Months Into Pandemic, Shortages Persist »
The willingness of left-leaning religious congregations to engage in political activity has spiked in the Trump era, new research shows. In particular, many American congregations report becoming substantially more involved in immigration issues, likely in response to the administration’s controversial, hardline stances. And Black Protestant congregations report a surge in political activity since 2012, perhaps in reaction to the ongoing and increasingly visible abuse of Black men by police, the article found. “… read more about In Trump Era, More Progressive Churches Get Politically Active »
Writing with Kraig Beyerlein from Notre Dame, professor of Sociology Mark Chaves argues that his research on the National Congregations Study shows there is "surging political activism among religious progressives in what appears to be a direct response to Trump administration policies." Read the article at CNN. read more about Trump Can't Take the Evangelical Vote for Granted »
On Monday July 20, 2020, Miles Marsala successfully defended his dissertation entitled: “Essays on the Complexities of Social Inequalities and Health Disparities.” His committee consisted of: Scott M. Lynch, Chair, Jenifer Hamil-Luker, Tyson H. Brown, and Matthew E. Dupre. read more about Miles Marsala Defends PhD. »
Against a backdrop of dual crises of public health and racial justice, more than 50 Black faculty, staff and students shared personal stories of racism and discrimination, presented research on racial inequities, and issued urgent calls for change. The day-long symposium, Living While Black, was attended by more than 6,300 members of the Duke community via videoconference. It addressed the national crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is disproportionately affecting communities of color, and the spate of police killings… read more about Living While Black: Raw Discussions on Race at Duke and in America »
Dr. Gary Gereffi was one of two main speakers at a Duke webinar on “COVID-19 and Global Supply Chains: Disruption and Restructuring” on April 21. The event was recorded and the YouTube video link is provided here -- https://igs.duke.edu/news/covid-19-and-global-supply-chains-disruptions-and-restructuring There is also an article in Duke Today about the event. read more about Gary Gereffi Involved In April Webinar On Supply Chains »
What Next? Faculty Research and COVID-19 Every day begins in the same way. I get up. I make my coffee. I look at the data. Everything about this is absurd. To begin with, there’s the absurdity that everyone with a job like mine faces each day. Locked down at home with the kids, trying to get things done, unable to properly teach, write, or think. The household is like a little spacecraft, drifting in the void. Occasionally you venture outside to get supplies, or to check the shields. I find the days are speeding up now,… read more about The Kitchen Counter Observatory »
The Department of Sociology recognizes and congratulates those students receiving their doctoral degree in Sociology during the 2019-20 academic year. Our graduates, along with the titles of their dissertations, are listed below. May 2020 Graduates Jarron D. Bowman "Economic Insecurity, Political Inequality, and the Well-Being of American Families" John P. Bumpus "Essays on the Structural and Cultural Determinants of… read more about Congratulations New Ph.D.s! »
Congratulations to the following student award winners from Duke University units in 2020. African & African American Studies John Hope Franklin Award for Academic Excellence: Elizabeth DuBard Grantland Karla FC Holloway Award for University Service: Beza Gebremariam Mary McLeod Bethune Writing Award: Jenna Clayborn Walter C. Burford Award for Community Service: Kayla Lynn Corredera-Wells Art, Art History & Visual Studies Mary Duke… read more about Student Honors and Laurels for 2020 »
Newly minted PhD, Steven Jefferson has accepted a postdoctoral position at Rice University in their Department of Sociology starting in the fall of 2020. read more about Jefferson Accepts Postdoctoral Fellowship at Rice University »
DURHAM, N.C. -- Eighteen Duke students and alumni have been awarded Fulbright placements to teach English, study and do research abroad during the 2020-2021 academic year. The Fulbright US Student Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, offering opportunities in over 140 countries. The Fulbright award is designed to facilitate cultural exchange and increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. The awards are announced on a… read more about Eighteen Duke Students And Alumni Awarded Fulbright Scholarships »
Congratulations to Professor Lisa Keister for being recognized in the Top 5% of undergraduate instructors in Trinity College last semester (Fall 2019) in categories of Overall Rating of Course and Overall Rating of Instructor! This honor was for her course: Sociology 223, Data Analytics for Business. read more about Keister In Top 5% of Undergraduate Instructors in Trinity College »
Jen'nan Read – Sally Dalton Robinson Professor of Sociology and chair of the Sociology Department – has been recognized by Trinity College of Arts & Sciences for her excellence in undergraduate teaching. Read was named the 2020 recipient of the Howard D. Johnson Award. “Jen’nan is consistently mentioned among students as one of their favorite professors within sociology," wrote one of her colleagues in the award submission. "This is impressive because some of these students are not even sociology majors, but rather… read more about Jen'nan Read Receives 2020 Undergraduate Teaching Award »
The Betsy Alden Outstanding Service-Learning Awards recognize annually one community partner, one faculty member, and one graduating senior for their outstanding commitment to the ideals of service-learning. We are pleased to recognize the following award recipients for their excellent work: STUDENT RECIPIENT: Axel Herrera Ramos (Duke ‘20) Axel Herrera Ramos, a double major in Economics and Sociology, was born in Honduras and immigrated to the United States at the age of seven with his family. He currently calls Durham,… read more about 2020 Betsy Alden Outstanding Service-Learning Award Winners »
On Wednesday April 1, Steven Jefferson successfully defended his dissertation entitled: “Race, Gender and Perceived Barriers: How Beliefs About the Opportunity Structure Shape Postsecondary Pathways.” His committee consisted of: Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Chair, Tyson Brown, Royel Johnson, Lynn Smith-Lovin, and Martin Ruef. read more about Steven Jefferson Defends PhD. »
On Friday March 27, Guangyu Tong defended his dissertation entitled: “Topics in Selective Migration and Economic Assimilation of New Immigrants”. His committee consisted of: Angel Harris, Chair, Scott Lynch, Jeffrey Swanson, and Mark Chaves. read more about Guangyu Tong Defends PhD. »
On Thursday March 26, Maria Cristina Ramos Flor defended her dissertation entitled: "Identities and Meaning Structures." Her committee consisted of: James Moody, Co-Chair, Lynn Smith-Lovin, Co-Chair, Christopher Bail, and Stephen Vaisey. read more about Maria Cristina Ramos Flor Defends PhD. »
On Thursday March 26, Emily Persons defended her dissertation entitled: "School Closings, Openings and Restructurings: Implications for Schools and Neighborhoods." Her committee consisted of: Martin Ruef, Co-Chair, Angel Harris, Co-Chair, Christopher Bail, and Jessi Streib. read more about Emily Persons Defends PhD. »
On Tuesday March 31, Zimife Umeh defended her dissertation entitled: “Gender, Institutions, and Punishment: Examining the Experiences of Formerly Incarcerated Women.” Her committee consisted of: Martin Ruef, Co-Chair, Angel Harris, Co-Chair, Tyson Brown, and Jessi Streib. She has also accepted a Presidential Diversity Fellowship at Brown University. read more about Zimife Umeh Defends PhD. and Accepts Postdoctoral Fellowship at Brown »
On Monday March 30, Jarron Bowman defended his dissertation entitled: “Economic Insecurity, Political Inequality, and the Well-Being of American Families.” His committee consisted of: Angel Harris, Co-Chair, Scott Lynch, Co-Chair, Nicholas Carnes, and Eduardo Bonilla-Silva. He has accepted a one year Assistant Professorship in the Department of Sociology at Ithaca College starting the fall of 2020. read more about Jarron Bowman Defends PhD. and Accepts Position at Ithaca College »
On Tuesday March 17, John Bumpus defended his dissertation entitled: "Essays on the Structural and Cultural Determinants of Youths' Postsecondary Educational Outcomes." His committee consisted of: Angel Harris, Co-Chair, Scott M. Lynch, Co-Chair, Christopher Bail, and Eduardo Bonilla-Silva. read more about John Bumpus Defends PhD. »
Lauren Valentino has accepted a tenure-track position in the Sociology department of The Ohio State University. She will start as an Assistant Professor in the fall of 2020 read more about Lauren Valentino Accepts Position at The Ohio State University »
On Tuesday March 31, Molly Copeland defended her dissertation entitled: "When Peers Help and Harm: Adolescent Social Structure and Mental Health". Her committee consisted of: James Moody, Chair, Christopher Bail, Tyson Brown, and Linda K. George. She has also accepted a tenure-track position as an assistant professor at Michigan State starting in the Fall of 2020. read more about Molly Copeland Defends PhD. and Accepts Position at Michigan State »
On Friday, March 27 Joshua Doyle defended his dissertation entitled: “Getting From Trust to Cooperation: the Moderating Role of Cultural Trust”. His committee consisted of: Stephen Vaisey (chair), Lynn Smith-Lovin, Martin Ruef, and Ashley Harrell King. He has accepted a tenure track position as an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department of Purdue University starting in the fall of 2020. read more about Joshua Doyle Defends PhD. and Accepts Position at Purdue University »
“Write!” For Sarah Gaither, this command reminds her what she needs to make time to do. As an assistant professor of psychology & neuroscience at Duke, she balances a robust teaching and research load with administrative duties, meetings with collaborators and students, leadership of the Duke Identity & Diversity Lab and more. Advancing her own scholarship can get squeezed to the margins, but she can’t allow that to happen during this critical period in her career. From manuscripts, grants and book chapters to… read more about A Community That Writes Together »
Social Media Echo Chambers and Political Polarization Wednesday, March 4, 2020 | 4:30-6:30 PM Chris Bail There is widespread concern that social media platforms have created filter bubbles that reinforce peoples’ pre-existing views and prevent them from being exposed to those who do not share them. Though many people believe popping filter bubbles will reduce political polarization on social media, this talk will present multiple field experiments that challenge this… read more about Social Media Echo Chambers and Political Polarization »
In an effort to learn how people form opinions, Duke sociologist Craig Rawlings turned to an unusual test group -- book clubs. Rawlings and fellow researcher Clayton Childress at the University of Toronto enlisted members of book clubs across the country to read a work of historical fiction -- Jarrettsville, by Cornelia Nixon. The book is centered on real-world events in the post-Civil War period and touches on issues of gender, race and southern identity. Study participants read the book on their own and were surveyed… read more about Wine, Conversation and New Points of View »