Richard Petts

Richard J. Petts is an Associate Dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities and Professor of Sociology at Ball State University. He joined the university in 2008, holding dual roles in academic leadership and research. Petts earned his B.A. from Michigan State University and both his M.A. and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

His research focuses on family inequalities, particularly parental leave policies, father involvement, and workplace flexibility as mechanisms to reduce gender inequality and improve family well-being. He has conducted extensive studies on the impacts of the pandemic on parents, fatherhood’s role in gender equality, and parental leave policy design. His work bridges sociology, public policy, and gender studies, with findings featured in major media outlets like The New York Times and Forbes.

Petts teaches courses in sociological research methods, population dynamics, family sociology, and social problems. He has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects, including a National Science Foundation-funded study on parenting, housework, and well-being during the pandemic. His research often highlights the interplay between policy, cultural norms, and family dynamics.

Key themes in his work include gender equity in caregiving roles, the psychological impacts of domestic labor distribution, and the design of inclusive workplace policies. His publications frequently analyze cross-national comparisons and longitudinal data to understand evolving family and work structures.