Andrew J. Perrin

Andrew J. Perrin is the SNF Agora Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. A cultural and political sociologist, his work centers on democracy, civic engagement, public deliberation, and the role of higher education in shaping democratic citizens.

His research explores how individuals understand and participate in democratic life, examining public opinion, letters to the editor, and interdisciplinary cultural studies, including children’s media and obesity. He is particularly interested in how people use evidence in public debates and how higher education fosters civic capacity.

The recent publications reflect a strong trajectory in democratic theory, free speech on campus, and historical analysis of sociological discourse. His work spans from historical interpretations of the Frankfurt School to contemporary digital public spheres.

• Ruel Tyson Distinguished Professor of the Humanities (former)
• Convenor, Health and Democracy Collaboration at SNF Agora

He has led major curricular reforms and directed the Institute for the Arts and Humanities at UNC Chapel Hill before joining Johns Hopkins. He advises graduate students and leads interdisciplinary research teams focused on democracy and civic life. He teaches courses such as Citizenship and Society, Civic Life Seminar, and Civic Life Capstone.

He is an active contributor to public sociology, writing for Scatterplot, Public Books, and the Chronicle Review, bridging academic research with public discourse.