Sociology Faculty Research Interests and Areas of Specialization
UWM’s designation as an R1 institution indicates robust research activity, and the Sociology Department fills a critical role in social science research at UWM. Our faculty have a broad range of research areas. Prospective graduate students should browse the faculty pages to identify a good fit between our research areas and their interests.
UWM prides itself on our undergraduate research programs. As early as freshman year, students can build their resume through hands-on research experience. Prospective and current undergraduate students can reach out directly to faculty to inquire about research opportunities in their area or work through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
See the latest Sociology Research News.
Urban Sociology; Racial Segregation & Integration; Racial & Place-based Inequality
Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration; Religion; Science and Medicine; Gender and Sexuality; Mixed Methods
- Associate Professor, Sociology
- Department Chair
- chesley@uwm.edu
- 414-229-2398
- Bolton Hall 714B
Social Implications of Data and Technology; Gender; Work and Family; Health and Well-Being
- Associate Professor, Sociology
- Director, LGBT Studies Program
- costello@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4389
- Bolton Hall 738
Sociology of the Body; Sex and Gender; Sociology of Sexuality; Intersectional Identity; Science, Technology, and Medicine Studies
Social Inequality; Environmental Sociology; Political Economy; Science, Culture-Cognition and Quantitative Methods
Urban Sociology; Sociology of Culture; Theory; Europe/Germany; Sociology of Food; Beer and Brewing
- Director of Undergraduate Studies, Sociology
- Associate Professor
- obrien34@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4388
- Bolton Hall
Sociology of Law; Sociology of Science/Knowledge; Political Sociology; Sociology of Religion
Political Sociology; Comparative/Historical; Social Movements; Race and Ethnic Conflict
Criminology, Crime Justice Outcome, Motor Vehicle Theft, Japanese Crime, National Incident Based Reporting Systems (NIBRS)
- Director of Graduate Studies, Sociology
- Professor
- jmrob@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6944
- Bolton Hall 764
Social Networks; Quantitative Methods; Mathematical Sociology; Criminology
Sociology Research News
- Professor Jennifer Jordan was recently interviewed about her book on the Beer Ladies PodcastListen to Professor Jordan's interview as she discusses the book she's currently working on about hop farming in Wisconsin and how women were critical to the practice.
- Professor Cary Costello speaks with Wisconsin Public Radio about a wave of anti-transgender activityProfessor Cary Costello was interviewed for the half-hour "Central Time" WPR segment, talking about a surge in violence against trans people, in legislation aimed at curtailing transgender civil rights, and the impacts these are having on trans youth and on the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.
- Professor Jennifer Jordan discusses her Recent Publication with WUWM 89.7 FMProfessor Jennifer Jordan honors legacy of former student with posthumous book publication, called A Social History of Modern Tehran: Space, Power, and the City, and after two years of work, the book was published this past month. Listen to Prof. Jordan's interview
- Noelle Chesley featured on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Lake EffectRead the article How automated hiring systems could be contributing to the worker shortage or listen.
- Tim O’Brien’s recent work with graduate students is highlighted in the August 2022 edition of UWM’s In FocusProf. Timothy L. O’Brien and Graduate Students Stephen L. Hawkins, and Adam Loesch (all Sociology). 2022. Scientific Disciplines and the Admissibility of Expert Evidence in Courts. Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, 8.