Joan Hermsen

Joan Hermsen is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Missouri's College of Arts and Science. Her research focuses on food security, gender inequality, public health, and social policy, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of urban/rural dynamics and socioeconomic disparities. She is affiliated with the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs. Her work includes projects like the Missouri Food Pantry Nutrition Improvement Project and studies on pandemic-related behaviors among college students. Her office is located at 340A Middlebush Hall, and she can be contacted at hermsenj@missouri.edu.

Her research explores how structural inequalities shape access to essential resources like food and healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations. She has conducted extensive studies on food pantry utilization, gender-based labor market disparities, and the sociological impacts of public health crises. Recent work includes analyses of vaccine hesitancy and pandemic mitigation strategies in Midwestern communities.

Articles Trends: Her recent publications (2020–2024) emphasize pandemic response, food security, and gendered outcomes, reflecting a shift toward applied sociology with real-world policy implications. Earlier work (2013–2018) focused on long-term structural issues like occupational segregation and food deserts.

Labs/Teams: While no specific lab is named, her collaborations include interdisciplinary teams at the Truman School and partnerships with regional food banks.