Hi, my name is Ian.

I am a sociologist who studies social perceptions of uncertainty at the intersections of race, gender, religion, and spirituality. My research examines how people navigate identity and belief in a world that often demands certainty where none exists.

My work specializes in mixed-race identity, focusing on the seemingly simple yet deeply consequential question—"What are you?"—as a social force. This question shapes the daily lives of multiracial individuals, influencing their mental health, social interactions, and even broader democratic ideals. My dissertation, The Monoracial Imperative: What are you? What am I? Who are we?, unpacks these dynamics, revealing the pressures and possibilities of multiracial identity.

Additionally, I study astrology as a cultural and social phenomenon, particularly how it is positioned within the so-called “conflict theory” between science and religion. I examine the ways in which masculinity and rationality influence perceptions of astrology, shedding light on broader tensions between belief and knowledge.

At its core, my work seeks to understand how individuals make sense of identity, belonging, and uncertainty in an ever-changing social world.

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Currently on the Job Market

PhD Candidate,
UC, Santa Barbara

04_EXPERIENCE

I am currently on the job market, seeking a sociology department that values rigorous engagement with the complexities of race—particularly mixed-race and multiracial scholarship—as well as the study of religion and spirituality.

I am eager to join a department that not only fosters intellectual curiosity in these areas but also implements concrete strategies for the development and support of junior faculty.

As a dedicated teacher and mentor, I am especially drawn to departments that prioritize teaching excellence and are deeply committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

I look forward to contributing to a dynamic academic community where research, teaching, and mentorship are valued as integral to sociological inquiry and social change.