Susan J. Ferguson

Susan J. Ferguson is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment at Grinnell College. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she specializes in courses on sociology, family studies, medical sociology, and social inequality. She is the General Editor for the SAGE Publications series Contemporary Family Perspectives.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, 1993
  • M.A. in Sociology, Colorado State University, 1988
  • B.A. in Spanish and Political Science, Colorado State University, 1984

Ferguson's research interests span social inequality, identity formation, medical sociology, and curriculum development. She has authored and edited multiple influential works, including the anthology Mapping the Social Landscape, which is foundational in introductory sociology courses. Her recent work focuses on curriculum mapping in sociology with co-PI Stephen Sweet.

Ferguson's publications address critical intersections of race, gender, and class, as seen in Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Social Class. Her work Breast Cancer: Society Shapes an Epidemic explores sociological dimensions of public health, while Shifting the Center examines evolving family structures.

Scientific Awards

• 2018 Hans O. Mauksch Award for Distinguished Contributions to Undergraduate Teaching
• 2021 ASA Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award

Her teaching and editorial work emphasize innovative pedagogy and sociological education. She has also contributed to international education through the Colorado State University Semester at Sea program, teaching sociology of gender and global studies.