Jeni Loftus

Jeni Loftus is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Memphis, Clement Hall, Room 207. She holds a PhD from Indiana University (2004) and specializes in Medical Sociology, Sexuality, Gender, Youth Studies, Family Dynamics, and Social Psychology. Her research focuses on adolescent sexuality, particularly age-discordant relationships, using longitudinal data to explore precursors and long-term outcomes.

Education: PhD in Sociology (Indiana University, 2004) with minors in Sexualities and Higher Education Pedagogy; MA in Sociology (Indiana, 1999); BA in Sociology (University of Minnesota, 1996, Summa Cum Laude, with a minor in Norwegian).

Research interests emphasize the intersection of gender, health, and social inequality. Notable projects include studying substance abuse and mental health effects in adolescents in age-discordant relationships, women’s infertility experiences, and cultural narratives around identity formation. Her work has been published in high-impact journals such as American Sociological Review and Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Teaching focuses on sexualities, gender, health sociology, and research methods. She has advised numerous graduate theses, including studies on child beauty pageants, queer identity management, and marital health disparities.

Professional service includes roles as Graduate Director at the University of Memphis (2012–present) and Assistant Professor at Purdue University (2004–2012). Her research has explored topics such as sexual well-being, gendered responses to infertility, and the sociological implications of age-discordant relationships.