Edward Flores

Edward Flores is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of California Merced, focusing on marginalized communities’ social, health, and policy challenges. His work intersects criminal justice, immigration, labor rights, and faith-based recovery initiatives. He holds an office in Classroom and Office Building 2, Room 231, and can be reached at edflores@ucmerced.edu.

Research interests include farmworker health in climate crises, civic reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals, and the role of religion in gang recovery. He critiques systemic inequities in reentry programs and analyzes pandemic impacts on vulnerable workers. His work often centers on Los Angeles and California contexts, emphasizing community organizing as a tool for social change.

Flores’ publications span 2013–2023, addressing topics like gang masculinities, post-incarceration citizenship, and Latinx social dynamics. He challenges neoliberal policies undermining reentry efforts and advocates for inclusive climate resilience strategies. His multidisciplinary approach combines ethnography, policy analysis, and qualitative methods.

While no formal grants or awards are listed, his research demonstrates sustained engagement with underrepresented groups. Collaborations likely exist with NGOs, health organizations, and criminal justice reform advocates, though specific partnerships remain unspecified.