Alison Better

Dr. Alison Better is a Professor and Sociology Area Coordinator in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York (CUNY), where she has taught since 2011. Her academic work spans two primary domains: gender/sexuality studies (focusing on feminist sex shops and sexual identity) and sociology pedagogy in community colleges. She previously taught at Tufts University and Brandeis University, and held staff positions at Brandeis Intercultural Center and Harvard's Radcliffe Institute.

Education

• PhD in Sociology, Brandeis University (2010)
• MA in Sociology and Women’s & Gender Studies, Brandeis University (2005)
• BA in Sociology and Women’s Studies, Skidmore College (2000)

Research Focus

Her gender/sexuality research examines how feminist sex-toy stores shape understandings of pleasure for marginalized identities, using ethnographic methods. Her pedagogical scholarship develops innovative approaches for community college sociology classrooms, particularly through experiential learning and civic engagement frameworks.

Publications Overview

Recent works analyze inclusive pleasure economies (2022) and queer pedagogy (2021), continuing her long-standing examination of sexual fluidity, retail sexuality, and teaching innovations. Publications consistently intersect gender theory, consumer culture, and educational sociology.

Awards & Leadership

• 2023 Hans O. Mauksch Award (ASA Teaching Section)
• Multiple PSC-CUNY research grants (2014-2023)
• Kingsborough teaching/scholarship awards (2014-2023)
• Active in ASA governance: Council Member for Sex/Gender and Sexualities sections, former Teaching Section Chair, Task Force on Community College Faculty
• Co-directed Kingsborough's Women’s & Gender Studies program