People

Editor-In-Chief: Christopher Robertson
Christopher is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in sociology, minoring in philosophy and history, and pursuing a certificate in cultural studies from the Bridging Disciplines Program. He spent this past summer teaching with the Exploration Senior Program at Yale University.  Christopher is currently working on his senior honors thesis, an ethnographic analysis of the Tea Party Movement, which is being supervised by Dr. Javier Auyero. This work builds on his previous research under the supervision of Dr. Michael Young examining the role of language, memory and texts in the formation and maintenance of contemporary conservative identities; for this project he conducted university-funded research at archives on the campus of UC Berkeley, presented his findings at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Ithaca, NY, and won first place in the annual Alpha Kappa Delta-Gamma of Texas essay contest.  His areas of interest include: theory; culture; sociology of knowledge; collective identity and memory; social movements and collective action; religion; and qualitative methods.  Christopher is an active member of the Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honors society, American Sociological Association, and the Society for the Study of Social Problems.  After completing his degree at UT in 2012 he plans to attend graduate school for sociology.  In his free time, Christopher enjoys reading, drinking good coffee, cycling, traveling as much as possible, and hiking/backpacking.
 
Managing Editor: Jason Thomas
Jason is a junior at The University of Texas, double majoring in sociology and government. He current research interests include: military sociology, qualitative research methodology, civil liberties after 9/11, symbolic interaction in ethnic conflict, and how hegemonic masculinity influences service member receptivity to the repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell. Jason is a member of Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honors society and is currently working on an honors thesis. In Spring 2011 he will be indoctrinated into Pi Sigma Alpha political science honors society. In summer of 2011, he received a fellowship through the department of sociology to conduct social psychological research on the use of personal experience in jury deliberations, and collected data on jury practices for various counties in Texas. In May 2009 Jason studied abroad in China while studying basic Chinese and the role China has played in world history. Jason is a veteran of the United States submarine force and is currently active in the student veterans association on campus. He is also a member of the distinguished speakers committee for the University.
 
Communications Director: Michael “Ares” Ross
Michael Ross is an undergraduate senior majoring in Sociology and Government and minoring in Chinese and Japanese. His research interests include demographic research, interracial dating and marriage, drug abuse and criminal justice system, and the practical application of Assimilation Theory and Asian American identity. Michael is currently working on his thesis measuring the effect Asian American identity in college affects interracial dating and friendship. As a Healthy Sexuality Peer Educator, he conducted public health research on student’s knowledge of sexual health for University Health Services. Michael was also president of the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society in Spring 2011 and an active member of Sociology in Action. Upon graduating he will attend graduate school to earn his PhD in sociology. In his free time, Ares enjoys salsa dancing, biking, swimming, reading, and riding his motorcycle.
 
Administrative Director: Stephanie Greeson
Stephanie is an undergraduate senior majoring in sociology and minoring in government. Her research interests include criminal justice, criminology, mental health, theory, and social psychology. She is currently working on her thesis analyzing labeling and stigma theories as they pertain to individuals with a mental illness and a criminal background. Stephanie is a member of the McNair Scholars program and completed the research internship in summer of 2011. She is also President of Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honors society and Vice President of Sociology in Action. Stephanie also works part time for the Texas Box Office and is a member of the American Sociological Association. After UT Stephanie plans on attending graduate school and completing her PhD in sociology. During her free time, Stephanie loves to read books and watch movies.
 
Financial Director: Jean Nava
Jean is an undergraduate senior triple-majoring in Sociology, Economics and Statistics.  His research interests include Marxist autonomy, organization of the informal economy, Neoliberalism and social movements opposed to it, the creation and enforcement of gender roles, immigration and its policy implications, and the study of mathematics through a sociological perspective.  In the summer of 2011, Jean participated in the Research Experience for Undergraduates through the Population Research Center at the University of Texas.  His research focused on the relationship between high levels of emigration and population structure in Mexico.  Jean is an active member and Treasurer of Alpha Kappa Delta and a McNair Scholar.  Upon graduating in 2012, he plans to attend graduate school in Policy, Political Economy or Economics, after possibly taking a year off to get some relevant work experience.  Jean is an avid health enthusiast and enjoys running, as well as cooking, playing his guitar, modular arithmetic and mathematical proofs.

Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Sharmila Rudrappa

Undergraduate Advisor
Jackie Dana

Please email us at utsocinsight@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the Sociological Insight team. We welcome anyone interested in participating in any capacity, from submitting or reviewing to fundraising, advertising, and layout design.