Heather Johnson

Heather Johnson is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Lehigh University. She earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from Northeastern University (2001) and a B.A. in Sociology from Colby College (1994). Her research focuses on intergenerational transfer of social class privilege, race and class inequity in the U.S., and the sociology of wealth/poverty. Notable works include The American Dream and the Power of Wealth (2006, 2014) and her upcoming book The Glass Floor, exploring how affluent families perpetuate advantage. She teaches courses on race/class intersections, education sociology, and childhood studies.

• Education: Colby College (B.A., 1994), Northeastern University (Ph.D., 2001)
• Research Interests: Social mobility, educational access, racial dynamics, and structural inequality
• Current Projects: Investigating elite families' strategies for transmitting class privilege

Her scholarship bridges academic and public audiences, emphasizing policy relevance. Teaching focuses on critical social theory and applied research methods.