Erin M. Evans

Erin M. Evans is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at San Diego Mesa College, specializing in social movements, science studies, policy, mass media, and institutionalization. Her research uniquely examines how activists effect change in non-political institutions like science and mass media, with particular focus on animal advocacy movements in cross-cultural contexts.

Her research interests center on understanding institutional change processes through the lens of social movements. Dr. Evans investigates how advocacy groups influence scientific institutions and media landscapes, challenging conventional understandings of where and how social movements create meaningful change. Her work bridges sociology of science, media studies, and social movement theory.

Dr. Evans' publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly contribution to the field of social movements, with articles in Social Movement Studies, Sociological Perspectives, and Society & Animals. Her research trajectory shows a sustained focus on animal advocacy movements and their institutional impacts across different cultural contexts.

Dr. Evans has successfully secured research support from multiple prestigious organizations including:

• Newkirk Center for the Social Studies of Science
• Animal Welfare Trust
• Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research
• Sociology Department at UC Irvine
• Dean's and Associate Dean's offices at UC Irvine

Her dissertation, 'Taking Root: Animal Advocacy and the Regulation of Science,' employed mixed methods including in-depth interviews, archival research, and ethnographic observation to explain long-term effects of animal protection regulation in science. This methodological approach reflects her commitment to comprehensive empirical investigation of complex social phenomena.