Sociology Research

Our faculty study a broad range of topics using qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method approaches. Faculty research areas are organized across seven research clusters.

 

Families and Relationships

These faculty explore how family and kinship relations shape individual experiences. Scholarship in this cluster covers a range of topics such as romantic relationships, intergenerational cultural reproduction, creation of chosen families, mixed-status families, stressors and relationships in families, adolescents and emerging adults, as well as childrearing practices.

Families and Relationships
Vadricka Etienne
Vadricka Etienne, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Gender, Race, and Identity and Sociology she, her, hers
TB 117
6377
Families and Relationships
Prisca Gayles
Prisca Gayles, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Gender, Race, and Identity she, her, hers / ella
(775) 682-7762
TB 107
6377
Families and Relationships
Clayton Peoples
Clayton Peoples, Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director of Graduate Studies
(775) 784-4765
LH 209
6377
 

Health and Social Welfare

Faculty in this cluster study the structural, institutional, environmental and demographic forces that shape physical, social, and psychological well-being. They examine topics such as grief and loss, mental health and illness, body image, health disparities, the impact of income equality on health and happiness and strategies that empower people to improve their socio-economic wellbeing.

Health and Social Welfare
Marta Elliott
Marta Elliott, Ph.D.
Department Chair; Foundation Professor
(775) 784-4884
LH 309
6378
Health and Social Welfare
Johnson W. Makoba
Johnson W. Makoba, Ph.D.
Professor
(775) 784-4628
LH 214
6378
Health and Social Welfare
Colleen Murray
Colleen Murray, Ph.D.
Professor, Sociology and Social Psychology; Adjunct Professor, Human Development & Family Studies
(775) 784-7006
LH 208
6378
 

Culture, Religion and Ideologies

Faculty in this cluster study cultural theories which help them to examine popular culture, mass media, religion, production and reception of cultural phenomena, globalization and markets, cultural psychology, and social movements as a cultural phenomenon.

Culture, Religion and Ideologies
Jared Bok
Jared Bok, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in Sociology; Director of Undergraduate Studies for Sociology
(775) 682-8965
LH 213A
6379
Culture, Religion and Ideologies
Markus Kemmelmeier
Markus Kemmelmeier, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Dean of the Graduate School he, him, his
(775) 784-6106
FSSB 0225
6379
Culture, Religion and Ideologies
Colleen Murray
Colleen Murray, Ph.D.
Professor, Sociology and Social Psychology; Adjunct Professor, Human Development & Family Studies
(775) 784-7006
LH 208
6379
 

Governance, Power and Social Transformation

These faculty study theories of development, social movements, social class, law and deviance, and global and international conflict. They examine the structures and processes and social networks that shape collective and political action and social change.

Governance, Power and Social Transformation
Prisca Gayles
Prisca Gayles, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Gender, Race, and Identity she, her, hers / ella
(775) 682-7762
TB 107
6380
Governance, Power and Social Transformation
Markus Kemmelmeier
Markus Kemmelmeier, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Dean of the Graduate School he, him, his
(775) 784-6106
FSSB 0225
6380
Governance, Power and Social Transformation
Johnson W. Makoba
Johnson W. Makoba, Ph.D.
Professor
(775) 784-4628
LH 214
6380
Governance, Power and Social Transformation
Clayton Peoples
Clayton Peoples, Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director of Graduate Studies
(775) 784-4765
LH 209
6380
 

Gender, Sexuality and the Body

Faculty in this cluster study gender and sexuality as distinct yet overlapping social locations on major axes of stratification and inequality. They study the determinants and consequences of prejudice and discrimination towards LGBTQ+ communities, the body as a site of social inequality, feminist theory and methodologies and the gendered dynamics of home, work and leisure.

Gender, Sexuality and the Body
Marta Elliott
Marta Elliott, Ph.D.
Department Chair; Foundation Professor
(775) 784-4884
LH 309
6381
Gender, Sexuality and the Body
Vadricka Etienne
Vadricka Etienne, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Gender, Race, and Identity and Sociology she, her, hers
TB 117
6381
Gender, Sexuality and the Body
Prisca Gayles
Prisca Gayles, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Gender, Race, and Identity she, her, hers / ella
(775) 682-7762
TB 107
6381
Gender, Sexuality and the Body
Colleen Murray
Colleen Murray, Ph.D.
Professor, Sociology and Social Psychology; Adjunct Professor, Human Development & Family Studies
(775) 784-7006
LH 208
6381
 

Race, Ethnicity and Migration

This research cluster focuses on ethnic and racial stratification in the U.S. and abroad as well as the global experiences of international migration and immigrant incorporation. Faculty examine the structural, institutional and demographic forces that shape communities of color in the U.S., the development of nationalism and ethnoracial conflict in Europe and developing nations, the impact of immigration policy on families and the experiences, and communities of Africa and African descent globally.

Race, Ethnicity and Migration
Marta Elliott
Marta Elliott, Ph.D.
Department Chair; Foundation Professor
(775) 784-4884
LH 309
6382
Race, Ethnicity and Migration
Vadricka Etienne
Vadricka Etienne, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Gender, Race, and Identity and Sociology she, her, hers
TB 117
6382
Race, Ethnicity and Migration
Prisca Gayles
Prisca Gayles, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Gender, Race, and Identity she, her, hers / ella
(775) 682-7762
TB 107
6382
Race, Ethnicity and Migration
Markus Kemmelmeier
Markus Kemmelmeier, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Dean of the Graduate School he, him, his
(775) 784-6106
FSSB 0225
6382
Race, Ethnicity and Migration
Colleen Murray
Colleen Murray, Ph.D.
Professor, Sociology and Social Psychology; Adjunct Professor, Human Development & Family Studies
(775) 784-7006
LH 208
6382
 

Work, Occupations and Organizations

Faculty in this cluster study working conditions, the relationship between occupational roles and status, labor processes, organizational theory and the gendered dynamics of work. They investigate organizational behaviors/innovations, the relationship of educational and career success to status attainment, earnings justice and attitudes towards inequality, elite influences on the state, policy and organizations, how working conditions shape mental health and how aesthetic labor reproduces inequality in the fashion industry.

Work, Occupations and Organizations
Jared Bok
Jared Bok, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in Sociology; Director of Undergraduate Studies for Sociology
(775) 682-8965
LH 213A
6383
Work, Occupations and Organizations
Marta Elliott
Marta Elliott, Ph.D.
Department Chair; Foundation Professor
(775) 784-4884
LH 309
6383
Work, Occupations and Organizations
Johnson W. Makoba
Johnson W. Makoba, Ph.D.
Professor
(775) 784-4628
LH 214
6383
Work, Occupations and Organizations
Clayton Peoples
Clayton Peoples, Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director of Graduate Studies
(775) 784-4765
LH 209
6383
 

Globalization and Transnationalism

Faculty in this research cluster investigate the integration and interdependence of nations and the movement of ideas, money, technology, culture and people across borders. They examine the dynamics that drive social, political and economic change in national, transnational and global contexts.

Globalization and Transnationalism
Jared Bok
Jared Bok, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in Sociology; Director of Undergraduate Studies for Sociology
(775) 682-8965
LH 213A
6384
Globalization and Transnationalism
Prisca Gayles
Prisca Gayles, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Gender, Race, and Identity she, her, hers / ella
(775) 682-7762
TB 107
6384
Globalization and Transnationalism
Johnson W. Makoba
Johnson W. Makoba, Ph.D.
Professor
(775) 784-4628
LH 214
6384