Department of Sociology
Dr. Chase Billingham's book on the history of economic development initiatives and patterns of social inequality in the city of Wichita is currently under contract with the University Press of Kansas. Other projects include an investigation of how parents navigate school choice (forthcoming in AERA Open), historical research on the work done in Kansas by the great feminist scholar Charlotte Perkins Gilman (forthcoming in Great Plains Quarterly), and an URCA-funded study of urban land use related to sports and recreation.
Dr. Twyla Hill is working on projects about older adults' use of technology with other sociologists, and on projects focusing on health equity with faculty from health professions and engineering. She has a long history of productive interdisciplinary collaborations which have received federal, state and university funding.
Dr. Jodie Hertzog is currently collaborating with HOPE Services (Olson & Fishwick) in conducting an initial process evaluation of a project aimed at infusing dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVSAS) prevention materials across the university curriculum. The project extends from a grant WSU's HOPE Services received from the Office of Violence Against Women to address issues of DVSAS on campus.
Dr. Chuck Koeber has recently presented research on the U.S. Capitol Insurrection. He has also presented research about a Wichita chemical spill. His ongoing research focuses on "consumptive labor," which refers to work-like tasks performed by customers (e.g., self- service).
Dr. Alyssa Lynne-Joseph is researching the depiction of medical and legal expertise in media coverage of bans on gender-affirming healthcare for U.S. adolescents. This study, which has been funded by a 2024 URCA Grant, examines how media coverage shapes public opinions on gender- affirming healthcare and influences subsequent legislative activity.
Dr. Jennifer Pearson is researching the importance of social contexts such as schools and families for adolescent development and well-being, and her work is driven by an interest in how inequalities are reproduced within these institutions.
Promoting Campus and Community Connection
Sociology faculty foster campus and community connections in a variety of ways:
- Drs Jodie Hertzog & Jennifer Pearson co-organize the annual Kansas Gender & Sexuality Conference that is free and open to the public to highlight faculty and student scholarship and provide an opportunity for scholars and advocates across Kansas to connect.
- Chase Billingham applies sociological insights toward local affairs through regular commentaries in local media outlets including The Wichita Eagle and Kansas Reflector.
Recently Completed Undergratuate and Graduate Scholarship
MSS Presentations
- Brenda Blasetti. (2024). Media framing of the mental health gap among the Latinx population in the United States: A content analysis from conservative and liberal
- Mahir Khan. (2024). Analyzing news reports on Black parent-child socialization: Is “the talk” gender neutral?
- Mia Maupin. (2024). Examining Issues within Online Gaming through a Gamer's Perspective.
- Elizabeth Benteman. (2024) #BirthControlProblems: Examining Negative Perceptions of Hormonal Contraceptives on Instagram.
- Elisabeth Benteman. 2023. "Positive Family and Peer Influence on LGBTQ+ Adults." First place in the Social Sciences & Humanities Category.
