Jacob Richardson

Jacob Richardson serves as Lecturer in the Department of Sociology within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, teaching SOC 310: Sociology of Deviance. His faculty appointment is active with Fall 2025 office hours currently listed.

His academic credentials include:

• M.A. in Sociology (2023) – University of Memphis (Thesis: “Queering Edgework: An Autoethnographic Account of Cruising for Sex”)
• B.A. in Sociology, Cum Laude (2021) – California State University, Bakersfield (Minor: Political Science)
• A.A. in Sociology (2018) – Bakersfield College

Richardson’s research critically examines Sexualities through Queer Theory lenses, with signature work on cruising as Sociology of Deviance. His scholarship consistently addresses Race, Class & Gender intersections in emotional experiences (Sociology of Emotions), particularly regarding heteronormative ethics in research and consent policy gaps for gay men. Methodologically innovative, he pioneers autoethnographic approaches to disrupt traditional frameworks.

His 2022-2025 publications reveal a clear evolution from individual autoethnography (cruising practices) toward collaborative queer spatial theory (LGBTQ+ placemaking), demonstrating increasing methodological sophistication while maintaining critical focus on embodied experiences of marginalization.

Key recognition includes:

• ASA Theory Section’s Edward Shils-James Coleman Prize for Best Graduate Student Paper

As an educator, Richardson integrates cutting-edge research into undergraduate teaching, particularly through SOC 310 where he examines deviance through intersectional and queer perspectives. His recent publications indicate active grant-funded research in LGBTQ+ spatial practices, though specific funding sources aren’t detailed in available materials. The 2025 collaborative publication suggests expanding international research networks in queer geography.