UMN Sociology

06/12/2026

SOC Professor Josh Page & affiliate professor Joe Soss received two ASA Outstanding Book Awards for their recent book, "Legal Plunder: The Predatory Dimensions of Criminal Justice."

1. Crime, Law, and Deviance Book Award
2. Inequality, Poverty, and Mobility Outstanding Book Award

Congratulations, Josh & Joe!

Inquest staff recommendations of not-to-be-missed decarceral books from 2025.

06/12/2026

Associate professor Elizabeth Wrigley-Field is a recipient of the 2026 Public Understanding of Sociology Award for contributions to advancing public understanding of sociology, sociological research, & scholarship among the general public.

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

We are pleased to introduce you to the distinguished winners of ASA’s 2026 awards. Every year, awardees are honored during a ceremony at the ASA Annual

06/12/2026

Sociology assistant professor Ed Cornelius is a recipient of the 2026 Dissertation Award for “Car Wash Legacies: Lawyers, Globalization, and the Restructuring of the Brazilian Penal Field.”

Congratulations, Ed!

We are pleased to introduce you to the distinguished winners of ASA’s 2026 awards. Every year, awardees are honored during a ceremony at the ASA Annual

06/11/2026

Sociology professor Doug Hartmann was interviewed by the Minnesota Star-Tribune about the lack of excitement around the 2026 World Cup.

From international disdain for the U.S., to price gouging, to backlash over FIFA awarding Trump a "FIFA Peace Prize," the buildup to Thursday’s opening match seems tepid, columnist John Rash writes.

06/11/2026

Sociology professor Doug Hartmann was interviewed about political spending directed toward the UFC event at the White House.

UFC Freedom 250 is backed by companies and executives with deep political footprints who have spent millions on political influence.

05/18/2026

Sociology professors Josh Page and Ed Cornelius were recently announced as award recipients for the 2026 Law & Society Association (LSA) awards.

Josh Page & Joe Soss: Herbert Jacob Book Prize
Book title: "Legal Plunder: The Predatory Dimensions of Criminal Justice"

Ed Cornelius: Dissertation Prize (Honorable Mention)
Dissertation title: "Car Wash Legacies: Lawyers, Globalization, and the Restructuring of the Brazilian Penal Field"

Law and Society Association congratulates its 2026 Annual Awards winners. LSA honors leading international scholars for their groundbreaking publications and contributions.

05/18/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 PhD graduates! 🎓✨

Pictured: Chris Robertson, Snigdha Kumar, Mi'Chael Wright, Brieanna Watters, and Laura Gilbertson.

05/04/2026

Kare 11 News Interview: Professor Doug Hartmann

Professor Hartmann was interviewed on KARE 11 News about the positive impact that MN sports wins are having on communities, particularly during a time when Minnesotans have faced civil hardships and unrest.

"Downtown last night was so alive... and people were just so excited. It was fabulous, we really needed this."

04/24/2026

SOC Alumni, Adora Land, who graduated in 2011, was named as a 40 under 40 honoree for her work as a grant-making director for St. Paul-based Bush Foundation.

Land oversees multimillion-dollar investments that drive leadership, equity, innovation, and systems change in the Midwest, specifically Minnesota and the Dakotas, as well as the 23 Native Nations that share the same geography.

This award, given out by the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, recognizes young business leaders for their professional accomplishments and community involvement.

04/23/2026