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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

BA I University of Washington

International Studies - 2016

M.A. I University of Washington

Education - 2018

M.A. I University of California - SB

Sociology - 2020

Ph.D. I University of California - SB

Sociology - 2025 (expected)

Areas of Research

& Expertise

Mixed Race Identity

Gender: Masculinities

Qualitative Research Methods

Sociology of Religion and Spiritualities

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Recent Publications

Recent Courses Taught

Qualitative Research Methods (2025)
Introduction to Sociology (2023)
Social Problems (2024)
Social Inequalities (2023)
Social Theory (2021)

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