Assata Zerai

Assata Zerai is a Professor of Sociology and Associate Chancellor for Diversity at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with affiliations to the Center for African Studies and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Her work bridges social justice, health activism, and gender equity in global contexts.

• Education: Ph.D. in Sociology (University of Chicago, 1993)

Her research focuses on maternal and child health, gendered digital divides, and health inequality, particularly in East Africa and U.S. religious communities. Recent collaborations integrate engineering and social sciences to address sanitation challenges in informal settlements.

Key article trends include quantitative microbial risk assessment, intersectional data modeling, and sustainable sanitation systems in resource-limited environments.

• Scientific Awards
  • Larine Y. Cowan 'Make a Difference' Leadership in Diversity Award (2015)
  • Ebony Excellence Awards: Outstanding Contributions to the Field (2016)
  • Recognized as Excellent Instructor (2005-2014)

Zerai has co-led $1M Sloan Foundation grants to increase diversity in STEM and hosted the Mandela Washington Fellows program. She previously directed African Studies, fostering interdisciplinary integration of engineering, social sciences, and humanities.