Deenesh Sohoni

Deenesh Sohoni is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Studies program at William & Mary. He specializes in the intersection of race, ethnicity, citizenship, and social institutions such as education, the military, and media. His research explores topics like military naturalization, demographic shifts, and racial boundaries in American society.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology, University of Washington
  • M.A. in Asian Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

His key research interests include demography, immigration assimilation, race relations, and globalization. Current projects focus on military naturalization’s role in citizenship and the experiences of early Asian students at William & Mary through the APM Research Project. He collaborates with Professor Esther Kim on the K-12 Asian American Student Education (KAASE) Initiative.

His articles analyze themes like racial integration in the military, media portrayals of demographic changes, and historical anti-miscegenation laws. These works bridge sociological theory with real-world policy implications, often cited in legal contexts and media discussions.

He oversees student-led research initiatives and has contributed to curriculum development for global sociology education. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding systemic inequality and identity formation.