Presentations
Madi Lou Abel (PSU Sociology graduate student) presented at the American Sociological Association Section on the Sociology of Sexualities Conference remotely on a presentation titled "Understanding t4t: Contemporary Conceptions of Trans for Trans Connections."
Career progression
Madi Lou Abel (PSU Sociology graduate student) was hired as a student grader/assistant in the Women Studies department under Dr. Joy Mutare (PhD in Sociology from PSU) for her course titled Resistance/Activism/Social Change.
Brandi Cole (PSU Sociology graduate student) was hired for a Inspire Vancouver Research internship with the City of Vancouver. Brandy says "Inspire Vancouver is a cultural access program to support arts, culture, heritage, and science organizations in Vancouver. The program is focused on 'expanding access and engagement, strengthening the cultural community, boosting jobs and neighborhood pride, and encouraging creativity and learning.' In my internship role I will help build Inspire's community measurement and learning practice to help inform Inspire's programs. As an experienced researcher, I will also have the opportunity to mentor an undergrad intern."
Service
Gabby Mota (PSU Sociology graduate student) started her appointment as Graduate Student Representative for the Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR) Committee for the 2026-2027 academic year
Gabby Mota (PSU Sociology graduate student) returned to the University of Portland (UP) campus for an alumni event where three other UP Sociology alumni and I met with current Sociology and Criminology undergraduates to discuss how we continue to use our sociological imagination after graduating.
Grants
Maura Kelly (PSU Sociology faculty) and Lindsey Wilkinson, PSU Sociology faculty) received funding from Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and Department of Transportation for the “2026 Highway Construction Workforce Development Program Evaluation.” ($66,785). Summer 2026 research assistance supporting this project was provided by Tamara Ogle (PSU graduate student)
Maura Kelly (PSU Sociology faculty),Emma Lind (Okanagan College researcher), and Luis Aguiar (University of British Columbia- Okanagan Sociology faculty) received funding from a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant for "Still Here: Mid-Career Tradeswomen and the Missing Middle of Trades Research" ($61,875)
Research
Amy Lubitow (PSU SEES faculty), Rachel Springer (PhD in Sociology from PSU), and Gabby Mota (PSU Sociology graduate student) went up to Seattle to conduct focus groups with formerly incarcerated wildland firefighters.
Teaching
The PSU Sociology Department sponsored a Career Week event titled "Skills to Careers: Unlocking your Social Science Degree" with guest presenter from the Career Center Nathaniel Sprouse