Rachel Austin

Rachel Austin is an Adjunct Lecturer with full-time faculty roles at multiple institutions, including Blue Ridge Community College, Warren Wilson College, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds M.A. degrees in Sociology and Psychology, with research focusing on social movements, identity formation, criminal justice disparities, and pedagogical innovation. Her work bridges sociology and psychology through studies on juror decision-making, racial bias in legal systems, and counter-cultural phenomena like burn festivals. She actively presents at conferences such as the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues and the Southern Sociological Society.

Her educational background includes a B.A./B.S. from the University of South Carolina Upstate, M.A. in Sociology from UNC Charlotte, and an M.A. in Psychology from UND-Grand Forks. Teaching spans sociology (e.g., Introduction to Sociology, Criminology) and psychology courses across hybrid, online, and seated formats. She has served as an expert reviewer for publishers like Oxford University Press and SAGE, and her recent media engagements include consultations on nonverbal communication during the pandemic.

Key professional roles include internship oversight for sociology students, mentoring initiatives, and developing inclusive curricula. Her research interests emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to social justice, racial literacy, and online education ethics. She is affiliated with professional organizations like the American Sociological Association and American Psychology-Law Society.