Student Research & Opportunities

At Jax State Sociology, students do more than complete coursework. They work directly with faculty on research, present findings at professional conferences, contribute to scholarly publications, and receive individualized preparation for graduate school and careers.

Research with Faculty

Students work directly with faculty on research projects involving interviews, surveys, focus groups, data analysis, qualitative coding, literature reviews, community-based research, and scholarly writing. Students regularly contribute to projects that are presented at professional conferences and prepared for publication.

Recent research topics have included

• Harry Potter fandom and identity change
• Social media and online communities
• End-of-life doulas and healthcare
• Student success and campus experiences
• Gender, inequality, and social change

Present at Conferences

Students regularly present their work at campus, regional, and national conferences. Through faculty mentoring, students gain experience sharing research findings, networking with professionals, and building résumés for graduate school and career opportunities.

Recent Student Accomplishments

Addie Lott

• Presented research on fan communities and identity at the Mid-South Sociological Association Annual Meeting.
• Presented research at the JSU Faculty Research Symposium.
• Was admitted to UAB’s Ph.D. Program in Sociology and JSU’s Master of Social Work program.

Alicia Carter

• Conducted faculty-mentored research on fandom, identity, and social change.
• Received Alpha Kappa Delta conference funding.
• Presented research at the Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting.

Sassy Pilkington

• Completed an independent study focused on end-of-life doulas.
• Coauthored a manuscript submitted to Omega: Journal of Death and Dying.
• Presented research at the Mid-South Sociological Association Annual Meeting.

Tierra James, Leo Ramirez Martinez, and Ariel Vicars

• Collaborated on faculty-led research examining identity and behavior change in online fan communities.
• Coauthored an article accepted for publication in The Journal of Fandom Studies.
• Presented research at regional and national sociology conferences.

Franshay Garrett

• Presented research on equity and student success at the Student Success Summit.
• Participated in faculty-mentored applied sociology projects focused on improving student experiences.

By the Numbers

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• 7 students collaborated on faculty research projects over the past two years.
• 11 conference presentations included student researchers.
• Students presented at regional and national professional conferences.
• Students coauthored peer-reviewed publications.
• Students received mentoring for graduate school and professional careers.

Funding Your Opportunities

Jax State Sociology is committed to helping students pursue opportunities beyond the classroom. Department and university resources help students present research, attend scholarly meetings, participate in research activities, build professional networks, and prepare for graduate school and careers.

• Department scholarships
• Wai-Man Siu Student Enhancement Funds
• Alpha Kappa Delta conference funding
• University faculty research grants

Get Involved

Students can participate in both the Sociology Club and Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD), the international sociology honor society.

Sociology Club

The Sociology Club offers opportunities for leadership development, community engagement, research projects, professional networking, and service activities.

Alpha Kappa Delta

Through Alpha Kappa Delta, students may receive recognition for academic achievement, apply for conference funding, compete for scholarships and awards, present research at professional meetings, and connect with sociology students and professionals across the country.