Julian Go

Julian Go is Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago and a Senior Fellow of the Society of Fellows. He is also a Faculty Affiliate of the Center for the Study of Race, Politics & Culture and the Committee on International Relations, reflecting his interdisciplinary engagement with race, empire, and global political dynamics.

His research centers on the historical sociology of empire and colonialism, with a strong emphasis on postcolonial and decolonial theory. He has been a leading voice in advancing global historical sociology as a framework for understanding modern social formations. His work critically examines how imperial logics continue to shape contemporary institutions, particularly in the realm of policing and state violence.

Julian Go’s scholarship has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Lewis A. Coser Award from the American Sociological Association for theoretical innovation. He has also received honors from the Eastern Sociological Society, the American Political Science Association, and the International Studies Association, underscoring the interdisciplinary reach of his contributions.

• Lewis A. Coser Award for Theoretical Agenda Setting in Sociology
• Prize from the American Sociological Association
• Prize from the Eastern Sociological Society
• Prize from the American Political Science Association
• Prize from the International Studies Association

He currently serves as President of the Social Science History Association (2022), highlighting his leadership in the field. Although no specific students or grants are mentioned in the text, his affiliations with major research centers suggest active mentorship and research supervision. His recent public talk on militarized policing as a colonial boomerang illustrates his commitment to public sociology and critical engagement with urgent social issues.

Julian Go is affiliated with key research units at the University of Chicago, including the Society of Fellows, the Center for the Study of Race, Politics & Culture, and the Committee on International Relations, all of which support his interdisciplinary and globally oriented scholarship.