Fall 2025 Sociology Newsletter

A Letter from the Chair

Dear Students, Colleagues, and Friends of the Sociology Department,

As the leaves begin to turn and the rhythm of the semester settles in, I am reminded of the energy that fills our campus when we come together each fall—hallways buzzing with conversation, classrooms alive with curiosity, and shared moments that spark new ideas and connections. Building on that shared energy, our faculty and students continue to make meaningful contributions to Cornell and the wider field of sociology.

In August, over 30 members of the Cornell sociology community presented their research at the 120th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Chicago. Faculty and students showcased their work on a diverse range of topics including climate change, artificial intelligence, migration, health disparities, education, reproductive justice, criminal justice, inequality, labor, and the future of work.

We are excited for this term’s slate of events. Elaine Howard Ecklund (Cornell Soc Ph.D. ’04) paid a visit to the department—her old stomping grounds—earlier in the month and met with graduate students to talk about “Public Scholarship in Theses Times.” Kevin Guyan, a Chancellor’s Fellow from the University of Edinburgh, gave a talk on his book titled Rainbow Trap: The Politics of Gender, Sex and Sexuality Categories.

Looking ahead, Philip Cohen will present on his new book, Citizen Scholar: Public Engagement for Social Scientists, at the end of October, which is co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Inequality, Cornell Population Center, the Brooks School of Public Policy, and the Department of Government. Cohen will also lead a seminar for our students titled “Sociology as if it Really Matters.”

Our undergraduate community now has a dedicated gathering space in the newly established undergraduate lounge. In addition, members of the new undergrad Sociology Student Advisory Board are collaborating with department faculty and staff to organize events that bring together alumni, faculty, and fellow students—stay tuned for more details!

I wish you a productive, inspiring, and connected fall semester.

Warmly,
Dr. Laura Tach
Chair, Department of Sociology

Featured Alum

'Understanding the forces that promote a culture of silence around sexual harassment has been a driving research motivation for me'

UW Madison Professor, Chloe Grace Hart, discusses her path as a sociologist, and her research on Cornell Greek-life culture during her time as an undergrad Soc major.

In Memoriam: Cornell Sociology Professor, Steven Caldwell

Caldwell was known as both a pioneering scholar in demographic microsimulation and a devoted teacher and mentor. He played a central role in revitalizing the Department of Sociology during a period of renewal.

left to right: Raul Armenta, He Xu, Lili Li, Ruiling Li, Nicole Lum, Joyce Wang, Eli Golde, Ari Shanmugaratnam

Undergraduate Undertakings

'Cornell has made me discover that there should be no limit to the type of questions I ask, and there is always a way to find an answer.'

Gaveal Fan is a Robert S. Harrison College Scholar and also majored in sociology & information science.

'My classes reshaped the way I think about justice, morality and what it means to be a part of humanity'

Alyssa Mendez is a sociology major.

Student spotlight: Haowen Zheng

Haowen Zheng, a doctoral candidate in sociology from Zibo, China, now studies why people move long distances within a country and how those moves shape their lives.

"Sexualities Across Borders: Trends in Queer Migration Studies"

Juhwan Seo (Cornell Soc Ph.D. ’25) published a new state-of-the-field review article in the inaugural issue of Sex & Sexualities.

Houses in a neighborhood, seen from above

Sense of place trumps tax breaks in choosing where to live

There’s no place like home — and even when state-by-state income tax disparities make it profitable to move, high-wage earners seem to agree, according to new Cornell-led research.

Prof. Young adds Empirical Clarity to NYC Wealth Tax Plans

Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s controversial tax plan sparks debate amongst business leaders and economists. Prof. Cristobal Young contributes to conversation in the New York Times DealBook.

Blue States Hunt for Ways to Wring More Taxes From the Wealthy

Cities and states across the country are looking at ways to wring more revenue from their richest taxpayers. Prof. Cristobal Young’s new research finds top income earners no more likely to move than lower income earners following 2017 tax changes.

If parents can opt out of LGBTQ themes, can others opt out of traditional ones?

Hearing arguments on whether religious parents should be permitted to opt out their children from public school story time that includes LGBTQ themes, U.S. Supreme Court justices appeared to favor the idea that parents can remove their children from these lessons, which 'prompts reflection on the bo...

Catholic charter school matter ‘raises profound questions about equal access’

The Supreme Court's decision in the matter of Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond will represent a critical test of the separation between church and state in public education, says Landon Schnabel, associate professor of sociology.

A curved stone building with a row of colums on the facade

Pulpit politics? Cornell expert questions IRS filing

Prof. Landon Schnabel comments on the new IRS filing regarding political endorsements by religious institutions.

Book cover: Global Challenges to Democracy

Cornell scholars address global democratic erosion in book

Cornell government scholars have been tracking democracy's erosion in various regions – including the United States.

A MAGA for the UK? These working-class voters feel left behind

“After experiencing decades of decline in mining and other industries, as well as the failure of successive governments to revitalize working-class communities, locals are turning to populists on the right and left – those who promise to break with a creaking political order.”

Macron to blame for instability in French government, says Cornell scholar

The writing was on the wall for the no confidence vote says international populism expert Mabel Berezin.

The Assembly of an American Sociologist

Professor Victor Nee’s autobiography in the Annual Review of Sociology traces the accumulation of experiences involved in a research journey aimed at explanation of social behavior and institutional change.

Cornell Soc at ASA

Several Cornell Sociology community members participated in the 120th ASA meeting in Chicago, IL.

"We used to disagree. Now we don't talk to each other."

"Since the COVID pandemic began five years ago, the U.S. has gone from being merely polarized to split into two separate and incompatible realities."

Child mortality rate has jumped since 2019

Professor Alaka Basu says the absolute rise in the mortality rates of 1-19 year olds in the U.S. during the peak COVID period is striking.

DIY religion: More Americans finding faith outside church

Cornell-led research finds that large numbers of Americans are leaving organized religion – not in favor of secular rationality, but to pursue spirituality in ways that better align with their individual values.

Young people are moving away from religion: The spiritual understanding of the new generation is changing

Sociological findings suggest that young people are severing ties with religious structures that conflict with their individual values.

Death of Pope Francis marks end of historic papacy

Cornell experts comment on the legacy of Pope Francis, who died on Monday, marking the end of a historic papacy.

Pope Leo XIV bridges Catholicism's geographic divide

The historic selection of Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born U.S. citizen and naturalized Peruvian, reflects Catholicism's evolving global identity.

Grad students join Elaine for a lunchtime seminar: "Public Scholarship in These Times."

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