Critical & analytical thinking

Yusuf Karipek stands against a neutral background. He wears a collared shirt and vest and is smiling slightly.

Yusuf Karipek recieves 2026 Aristide Zolberg Distinguished Student Scholar Award

Congratulations to Sociology PhD student Yusuf Karipek, whose paper “Ties that Bind, Documents that Trap: Transnational Repression through Abuse of Consular Services,” was selected to receive the 2026 Aristide Zolberg Distinguished...

Soodeh Mansouri wears a colorful knit scarf and smiles at the viewer.

Soodeh Mansouri recieves Illinois Global Institute language fellowship

The Illinois Global Institute has selected Sociology PhD student Soodeh Mansouri to receive a language fellowship to study Arabic during the 2026-2026 academic year. Mansouri is one of seventeen students to receive this language fellowship. Congratulations, Soodeh!

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Announcing the recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards

The Department of Sociology is pleased to present the winners of the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards.Each year, the department solicits nominations for graduates of our program who have made a significant impact on their field. Up to three awards (BA, MA, and PhD) are presented each year. This year'...

Dr. Tim Liao publishes new co-authored paper on infrastructure prioritization

Dr. Tim Liao, alongside Drs. Abigail L. Beck and Eun Jeong Cha, has released a new paper in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. The paper, "A metric to support higher-resolution equity-based infrastructure prioritization," establishes parameters and a metric for equitable...

Read Dr. Tim Liao's new article, out now in the Journal of Happiness Studies

Dr. Tim Liao has released a new co-authored article. "Understanding the Effect of Adult Children’s Education on Older Parents’ Subjective Well-being: Evidence from China" is available to read now through the Journal of Happiness Studies. ...

Dr. Asef Bayat offers perspective on Iran in interview in the Boston Review

In an interview with the Boston Review, sociology professor Dr. Asef Bayat offered a nuanced view on the political situation in and around Iran, citing historical context as well as presently unfolding events.Read the interview...

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Socius

The Department of Sociology proudly houses Socius, the American Sociological Association’s only open access online journal that publishes peer-reviewed high-quality research of a wide range of topics as rapidly as possible.

Editorial team:
Editor: Tim F. Liao
Managing Editor: Gretchin Gifford
Editorial Associates: Ting-Syuan Lin, Alex Kaiser, & Quinesha Bentley

Recently published papers can be viewed on the Socius webpage.

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Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Ghassan Moussawi is Chair-Elect for the ASA Sociology of Emotions section

Congratulations to Dr. Ghassan Moussawi on his election to Chair of the Sociology of Emotions section of the American Sociological Association!From the Sociology of Emotions website:The ASA Section on Sociology of Emotions brings together social and behavioral scientists in order to promote the general development of the study of emotions through the exchange of ideas, theory, research, and teaching. Scholars from a variety of backgrounds are members of this section, and collectively encourage the study of emotions in everyday social life....

Publication Spotlight

"Documentary Photography as Vocation: Reflecting on Frank Cancian's Contribution to Visual Studies" by Brian F. O'Neill

Brian F. O'Neill is a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Recently, Brian F. O'Neill published an article on his conversation with Frank Cancian titled "Documentary Photography as Vocation: Reflecting on Frank Cancian's Contribution to Visual Studies" click here to read his article. Abstract: "This article explores the works of the late anthropologist Frank Cancian, specifically considering ...