Ed A. MUNOZ

Dr. Ed A. Muñoz is an Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies and Adjunct Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Utah. His research focuses on Latinx experiences in the Midwestern and Inter-Rocky Mountain regions, with a particular emphasis on criminal justice disparities and historical sociological analysis. He currently leads a project evaluating Salt Lake Peer Court's impact on youth recidivism and a long-term socio-historical study of Latinidad in the Intermountain West.

Dr. Muñoz holds a PhD, MA, and BA in Sociology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, alongside an AA from Western Nebraska Community College. His teaching spans courses on criminal justice, Latinx experiences, and ethnic minorities in the U.S.

His research highlights include analyzing racialization processes in criminal justice outcomes and challenging traditional narratives of Latinx identity formation. Recent work underscores peer courts' potential to reduce systemic disparities among youth offenders.

• Key Awards: Legacy Leader Award (2024), Ford Foundation Minority Pre-Doctoral Fellowship (1991)
• Leadership Roles: National Council on Public History Program Committee (2023–2024), Board Member of the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (2014–2016)
• Grants: Peoples of Utah Revisited Oral History Research Grant (2023)

His community engagement includes judging Utah History Day events and involvement with the Genealogical Society for Hispanic America.