Brian Gran

Brian Gran is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Case Western Reserve University, where his interdisciplinary research bridges sociology, law, and public policy to examine how rights frameworks enhance well-being and societal resilience. He serves as an Expert Consultant to the U.S. Department of State and represents Case Western in the Public Interest Technology-University Network.

His educational foundation includes:

• Robert Wood Johnson Scholar in Health Policy Research, Yale University (1997-1999)
• Ph.D. in Sociology, Northwestern University (1997)

Professor Gran's research investigates rights implementation across critical domains: children's rights ombudspersons, human rights derogation during public emergencies (including NSF-funded COVID-19 impact studies), health misinformation affecting Black American communities, the human right to science, and Public Interest Technology's relationship with human rights. His International Survey of Human Rights (ISHR) project represents the first global assessment of human rights attitudes.

His distinguished contributions are recognized through:

• Public Interest Technology-University Network Designee (2023)
• Case Western Reserve University Global Citizen Award (2023)
• Veale Faculty Entrepreneurship Fellow (2022-2023)
• Jefferson Science Fellow, U.S. National Academies (2020-2021)
• Fulbright Scholar appointments (Iceland 2013; South Korea 2020-2021)
• Diekhoff Graduate Student Teaching Award (2019)

Professor Gran actively mentors Provost Scholars and collaborates with students on research, directing NSF-funded projects on rights derogation and leading interdisciplinary initiatives like the health misinformation study with UNLV and Norfolk State University researchers. His service includes Faculty Senate membership and U.S. Department of State advisory roles.

He coordinates major collaborative efforts including the International Survey of Human Rights team (with Virginia Tech and Suffolk University) and spinal cord injury recovery research with CWRU's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department.