Steven Lopez

Steven Lopez is a Professor of Sociology at Ohio State University, specializing in the sociology of work, employment dynamics, and organizational studies. His research addresses intersections between legal/illegal work, downward mobility, and labor rights, particularly in post-industrial contexts. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (2000).

Key research areas include: (1) Employment pathways among formerly incarcerated individuals, (2) Structural barriers to upward mobility post-recession, (3) Power dynamics in workplaces and unions, and (4) Cultural shifts in long-term care institutions. His work frequently employs qualitative methodologies to explore socio-economic inequalities.

Recent publications analyze how stable employment impacts recidivism rates and document resistance strategies against downward mobility in neoliberal economies. He has conducted extensive studies on labor movements in the Midwest and the evolving nature of worker-employer relationships.

Notable projects include the longitudinal study on 'Lives of the Formerly Incarcerated' and investigations into organizational decoupling processes. Lopez's scholarship bridges macro-level structural analysis with micro-level worker experiences, emphasizing policy implications for labor rights and social justice.