Heidi Ballard

Heidi Ballard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminology & Justice Studies at Otterbein University. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of New Mexico (1996), an M.A. in Sociology from the same institution (1990), and a B.A. from The Ohio State University (1986). Her research focuses on sociological theory, global social change, environmental sociology, and issues of social justice, with a regional emphasis on Latin America.

Her teaching portfolio includes courses on classical and contemporary social theory, racial and ethnic relations, global social change, environmental sociology, and urban sociology. Notable awards include the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Faculty Peace and Justice Award and recognition as an Excellence in Education Faculty in Ohio (2010). She has also been honored with the 1996 Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of New Mexico.

Ballard’s publications emphasize critical reviews of sociological theory and policy analyses. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, such as examining gender dynamics in labor markets and environmental justice. She is an active member of the Association of Humanist Sociology and the American Sociological Association since 1997.