Amy L Best

Amy L. Best is a Professor of Sociology at George Mason University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and directs the Center for Social Science Research. Her research focuses on social inequalities, youth culture, food insecurity, and community-based interventions. She specializes in qualitative methods and has collaborated with non-profits and government agencies on projects addressing health disparities and food access.

Her work includes analyzing youth experiences with bullying, school dynamics, and marketization, as well as evaluating farm-to-school programs and food voucher initiatives. Best has authored influential books like Prom Night and Fast Food Kids, and her research has been recognized with awards including the American Educational Studies Association Critics’ Choice Award (2002) and the Morris Rosenberg Award (2018).

Best supervises graduate students in cultural studies and sociology, with recent theses addressing racial politics, spatial justice, and academic feminism. She co-directs the Youth Research Council, a participatory action research initiative promoting equity in education.

Her grants include funding from the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Education. Key research themes include food systems, civic engagement among immigrants, and the intersection of cultural practices with public policy.