Aaron M. McCright

Aaron M. McCright is a Professor and Chairperson in the Department of Sociology at Michigan State University (MSU). He holds a PhD in Sociology from Washington State University (2002), and his research bridges environmental sociology, science policy, and political dynamics. His work focuses on climate change denial, public opinion on environmental issues, and risk governance. He has been recognized as a Kavli Frontiers Fellow (2007) and a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher (2019).

McCright’s research explores how political processes and societal dynamics influence responses to environmental risks. Notable contributions include studies on organized climate change denial, political polarization on climate issues, and the effectiveness of inquiry-based learning. He has published in top journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Nature Climate Change.

His teaching and service roles include chairing MSU’s Sociology Department and leading interdisciplinary initiatives. Awards include the 2009 Teacher-Scholar Award and 2014 Larry T. Reynolds Award for Teaching Excellence. He is affiliated with programs like Michigan AgBioResearch and the Center for Gender in Global Context.