Douglas Downey

Douglas Downey is the ASC Distinguished Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Sociology at The Ohio State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Indiana University (1992). His research focuses on social inequality, family dynamics, and the societal impacts of technology. He is the author of How Schools Really Matter, which examines schools' role in shaping social inequality and policy decisions. Current projects explore technological change's influence on inequality and its connection to 'deaths of despair' linked to internet expansion.

• Education: Ph.D., Sociology, Indiana University, 1992

Downey investigates how technology alters social relationships and public discourse, challenging assumptions about declining face-to-face social skills among youth. His work emphasizes systemic policy solutions to address rising inequality and its political ramifications.

As Director of Undergraduate Studies, he oversees academic advising and curriculum development for sociology undergraduates. His research bridges theoretical sociology with empirical studies on education, technology, and social stratification.