Barb Brents

Barb Brents is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), specializing in political sociology, gender, and sexuality. Her research focuses on the political economy of sexuality, Nevada’s legal brothels, and sexual commerce. She holds a PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Bachelor’s in Journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology, University of Missouri-Columbia
• Bachelor’s in Journalism, University of Missouri School of Journalism

Research Interests:

• Sexual commerce, legal brothels, and sex work policy
• Gender, sexuality, and neoliberalism
• Urban sociology and social sustainability in Las Vegas

Awards:

• William Morris Award for Excellence in Scholarship (2021)
• Nevada Regents Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award
• Donald Schmiedel Lifetime Service Award (2014)
• UNLV Alumni Faculty Award

Advocacy & Grants:

• Advocate for sex worker rights and policy reform
• Leader of the Nevada Scholars Strategy Network
• Collaborative projects on sexual politics and global sex work

Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary teams at UNLV’s Sociology Department and the Sexuality and Gender Studies Program, with international collaborations in the UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia.