Aaron McCright

Aaron McCright is Professor and Chairperson in the Department of Sociology at Michigan State University, with additional affiliations at Lyman Briggs College and the Environmental Science and Policy Program. He holds a PhD in Sociology from Washington State University (2002) and has established himself as a leading scholar in the sociology of environmental issues, particularly climate change.

McCright's research agenda focuses on how scientific and technological developments, political processes, and social structures influence society's capacity to recognize and address environmental impacts and technological risks. His work spans several key areas: the structure and impacts of the US-based climate change denial countermovement; patterns and trends in citizens' climate change views; predictors of environmental decision-making; and public views of science and scientists. He employs diverse methodological approaches to investigate these topics, contributing significantly to our understanding of the social dimensions of environmental problems.

His publications reveal a strong focus on political polarization around climate issues, with particular attention to how ideology shapes environmental attitudes and behaviors. McCright's work frequently examines the conservative movement's influence on climate discourse and policy, as well as gender differences in environmental concern. His more recent research has expanded into medical sociology, exploring attitudes toward psychiatric interventions and vaccine acceptance.

• Kavli Frontiers Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (2007)
• Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher (2019)
• Larry T. Reynolds Award for Outstanding Teaching of Sociology (2014)
• Multiple teaching awards from Michigan State University

McCright has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles in top journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nature Climate Change, and Global Environmental Change. His work bridges sociology, environmental science, and policy studies, making significant contributions to understanding the social dimensions of environmental challenges. He has also been involved in interdisciplinary teaching initiatives, particularly in climate change education.