Leslie Martin

Leslie Martin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Mary Washington (UMW). She joined UMW in 2007 and specializes in urban sociology, race/ethnic relations, welfare and poverty, and sociology of education. Her research examines neighborhood dynamics, affordable housing debates, and homelessness.

• Ph.D. in Sociology, Emory University (2003)
• M.A. in Urban Studies, Temple University (1994)
• B.A. in History, The College of William and Mary (1989)

Her work focuses on housing policy, public space access for homeless populations, and systemic poverty. She led grants for program evaluations of initiatives like Fredericksburg’s FUSE program and has collaborated with Eric Bonds on environmental justice studies. Articles on affordable housing discourse and media bias reflect her contributions to urban sociology.

Leslie Martin actively engages with local communities, serving on housing task forces and participating in public awareness events like the Coldest Night of the Year. She teaches courses on social problems, urban sociology, and housing policy, integrating field research into classroom practice.