sociology

Jul 25, 2016

Study: Young Adults Have Various Levels of ‘Independence’

New research from an NC State sociologist finds that the concept of being either dependent or independent doesn’t apply to almost half of young adults in the United States. Instead, the study finds that young adults can fall into any of four categories that span the spectrum from full independence to being wholly dependent on parents. 

May 9, 2016

Research Highlights Opposing Narratives to Mountaintop Removal

A new study from an NC State doctoral student highlights how the coal industry is fighting to create a normative culture around mountaintop removal, in light of mounting research and opposition exposing the practice’s negative impact on the environment and workers. The study also gives insight into what grassroots organizations are doing to create a counter narrative. 

Jan 20, 2016

Racial Makeup of Labor Markets Affects Who Gets Job Leads

Research from NC State's Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Rice University finds that the racial composition of a labor market plays a significant role in whether workers find out about job leads -- regardless of the race of the worker. 

Dec 3, 2015

Research seeks answers to black lung resurgence

For some, the words “black lung” may stir thoughts of an antiquated disease. However, after cases among miners dropped from nearly 30 percent to 3 percent between 1969 and 1999, recent research shows that trend reversing in central Appalachia. NC State doctoral student Aysha Bodenhamer aims to find out what’s led to the resurgence and what miners, their families and the industry are doing about it. 

Dec 2, 2015

Study: Young Adults from Wealthier Backgrounds More Likely to Rely on Parents

An NC State sociologist's research finds that more than 40 percent of young adults no longer live with their parents, but still receive financial support from mom and dad — a finding that's particularly true for grown children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Sep 21, 2015

Tequila, Mezcal and Social Science: a Q&A with Sarah Bowen

Sarah Bowen knows a lot about tequila and mezcal. Her new book, Divided Spirits: Tequila, Mezcal, and the Politics of Production, explores the complex web of relationships – from farmers to bartenders – involved in transforming agave plants grown in Mexico into high-end spirits and cocktails consumed around the world. 

Sep 14, 2015

Researchers Aim to Understand What Drives School Diversity or Resegregation

Why are some school districts able to maintain economic diversity in their schools, while others have become effectively resegregated in recent decades? That’s a question being explored by a team of researchers led by NC State University under a two-year, $482,000 collaborative grant from the National Science Foundation. 

Jun 10, 2015

On Fisheries, Society and Sustainability

Massive ecological changes are transpiring in the World Ocean. Environmental sociologist Stefano Longo worries that turning ocean resources -- like fish -- into commodities has led to the depletion of fisheries and the development of environmentally suspect means of aquaculture. He's co-authored "The Tragedy of the Commodity: Oceans, Fisheries, and Aquaculture" to turn our attention to the issues we face in our relationship with the oceanic ecological system.