Department of Sociology

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hundreds of demonstrators from the community gather and speak out against racism and racial injustice

The study of race, justice, and inequality is at the fore for many of our faculty and graduate students.

See our research and resources on understanding and ameliorating racial inequality More
Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, along with the downtown Madison.

We are proud to be consistently ranked as a top Sociology department in the country, excelling in a wide variety of intellectual pursuits.

A picture of a modern artwork

Mission Statement of the Department of Sociology

“Guided by the Wisconsin Idea of service to the citizens of Wisconsin and beyond, the Department of Sociology conducts world-class research on important local and global social issues and prepares students for meaningful careers and lives of engaged citizenship.”

In the News

Jill Richardson Publishes Dissertation Work

Jill Richardson’s dissertation research examines how a Montana-based non-profit, Blackfoot Challenge (BC), facilitates the exchange of knowledge between experts and laypeople for carnivore management.  Her article titled, “The Cows May Safely Graze: Placing Expert-Lay Relationships …

Masoud Movahed Publishes Commentary on Erik Olin Wright’s Work

In honor of his late advisor, Erik Olin Wright,  graduate student Masoud Movahed wrote a commentary in “The Palgrave Encyclopedia of the Possible” detailing Wright’s Real Utopias Project.

 More News and Updates

   Awards

Max Besbris Wins Distinguished Book Award

Assistant Professor Max Besbris’ book “Upsold” was selected by the Midwest Sociological Society for it’s Distinguished Book Award.  

Cover for the Book "Upsold"

Taylor Laemmli’s Paper Receives Award

Congratulations to graduate student Taylor Laemmli for having her paper, “Workers and Their Foes: Low-Autonomy Precarious Work in the Service Triad,” selected for the Harry Braverman Award by the Labor Studies Division of the Society …

Upcoming Events

Our Department Calendar lists additional events such as seminars, workshops, meetings and events

The Department of Sociology is a well-knit community of faculty, staff, and students.  Under our umbrella, we pursue research that is leading many sociological subfields in new and different directions. We emphasize teaching and public service as well as research. Indeed, we draw no hard boundaries between our research, teaching, and service missions. We value and promote methodological, social, and cultural diversity.

Click here  for a complete calendar