Kelly Bergstrand

Kelly Bergstrand is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Sociology at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her research focuses on social movements, environmental sociology, and social psychology, particularly examining emotions in activism, civic engagement, and community recovery after environmental disasters. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Arizona (2015), with a dissertation on grievance evaluations in social movements.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology, University of Arizona, 2015
• MA in Sociology, University of Arizona, 2008
• BA in Political Science and Economics, Marlboro College, 2002

Research Interests: Bergstrand explores environmental sociology, the role of emotions in collective action, post-disaster recovery, and the application of Affect Control Theory. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical studies on disasters like Hurricane Harvey and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Recent projects include analyzing AI in healthcare diagnostics and youth activism tactics.

Grants & Awards:

• 2024 Faculty Development Leave, UTA
• 2022 College of Liberal Arts Research Award
• 2020 College of Liberal Arts Teaching Award
• Funded grants include studies on disaster recovery barriers (OSHA, $75k), climate narratives (CLARFRE, $2.25k), and workers' safety post-disasters (OSHA, $75k).

Teaching & Service: She teaches courses on environmental sociology, social movements, and research methods. She chairs the Sociology Recruitment & Retention Committee and advises multiple graduate committees. Bergstrand actively participates in professional organizations like the American Sociological Association and the Scholars Strategy Network.

Advising: Supervised over 30 graduate and undergraduate students across thesis/non-thesis committees, honors contracts, and research advisement since 2015.