About

Welcome to my Blog! I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Chicago in order to research and better understand civil society – the complex, mercurial, and boundary-spanning space that occupies the intersection between the public sphere, nonprofit sector, state, and economy. Professional and trade associations, community organizations, social movements, and clubs can all be considered iconic civic organizations; each with ties to governments, corporations, and media. My interest is in how they become more effective, collaborative, and constructive and how they influence and are influenced by state and economic institutions. You can find out more in My Research section.

The Civil Sociology Blog is my attempt to connect the science I read and do with the crucial, practical questions that nonprofits, communities, and civic leaders ask everyday. To that end, I’m creating a Civic Research section for civic leaders and professionals that highlights some of the most relevant scientific issues, research, and researchers related to civil society. Alternatively, civic professionals and theorists are asking different questions than social scientists. In an attempt to bring these practical issues to the academic community, I’m creating a Civic Practice section.

Finally, to empower fellow researchers who are interested in creating, analyzing, and publishing their own research around these issues; I’m putting together a Research Tools section.  There you can find data sources, analytic software, and suggestions for which tools to use and how to use them.

This blog is a work in progress.  If you have ideas for questions, research, or other issues that should be addressed, contact me.