Monique D. A. Kelly

Monique D. A. Kelly is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Social Science. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Irvine (2019). Her research focuses on racial and ethnic stratification in the Anglophone Caribbean, particularly examining how multidimensional race impacts socioeconomic outcomes, public opinion, and national identity. She employs quantitative methods to analyze issues like colorism, socioeconomic wellbeing (e.g., household amenities, homeownership), and the role of racial ideologies in shaping inequality.

Her work challenges conventional paradigms of race in the Americas, emphasizing the diversity within the Black diaspora and informing social policy. She is core faculty at MSU’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLAS), contributing to interdisciplinary research and international studies programs.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology, University of California, Irvine, 2019

Research Interests: Dr. Kelly’s research bridges racial inequality, socioeconomic analysis, and Caribbean studies. She investigates how racial categories and skin color influence wealth, education, and housing in countries like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Her work also addresses the persistence of colorism and its intersection with colonial legacies, advocating for evidence-based policy to address systemic disparities.

Publications: Her articles, including studies on colorism, racial dynamics, and Caribbean inequality, highlight methodological innovations and regional-specific analyses. Recent work emphasizes comparative studies to contextualize racial stratification across Anglophone Caribbean nations.

Affiliations: Core faculty at CLAS, MSU, where she collaborates on Latin American and Caribbean-focused initiatives. Engages with international studies programs to expand global sociological perspectives.