Ana Villarreal

Ana Villarreal is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Boston University, specializing in the sociological analysis of violence, emotions, and urban dynamics in Latin America. Her research explores how fear and violence shape socio-spatial divides, urban structures, and daily life. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.

Her seminal work, The Two Faces of Fear: Violence and Inequality in the Mexican Metropolis (2024), examines the dual impact of fear on social cohesion and resource stratification. This book earned the 2025 ASA Outstanding Book Award and is widely used in urban sociology courses.

Villarreal’s research introduces concepts like “coping codes” and the “logistics of fear,” analyzing strategies individuals use to navigate violence. Her articles in Sociological Theory, Emotions and Society, and City & Community highlight how violence reshapes urban spaces and social hierarchies.

Awarded the 2025 Gitner Award for Distinguished Teaching, Villarreal emphasizes making sociological theory accessible. She advises the BU Undergraduate Sociological Association and sits on the BU Initiative on Cities Faculty Board. She is also active in the ASA’s Urban and Culture Sections and the editorial board of City & Community.

During her 2025-2026 sabbatical, Villarreal is affiliated with Harvard’s David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, furthering her interdisciplinary research on urban violence and inequality.