Thomas D. Beamish

Thomas D. Beamish is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Letters and Science. He is a research affiliate at the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC) and a faculty affiliate of the Designated Emphasis in Environmental Humanities. His work bridges sociology, environmental policy, organizational behavior, and political dynamics.

Beamish earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara and completed his B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Social Psychology at Western Washington University.

His research centers on risk perception, environmental hazards, social movements, organizational failure, and the political consequences of public tragedies. He explores how social groups—including organizations, communities, and movements—shape interpretations of risk, security, and collective action. His work spans anti-war protests, oil spill responses, green innovation, and the sociopolitical fallout of traumatic events.

The publications highlight a consistent trajectory in environmental and political sociology, with a focus on organizational behavior, climate governance, and social responses to crises. His recent book, After Tragedy Strikes (2024), examines how trauma narratives fuel political polarization, building on earlier works like Silent Spill and Community at Risk.

• Dean's Innovation Award (2015)
• Mentoring Award, MURALS Program (2014)
• NSF Hazards Fellowship (2003–2005)
• Best Dissertation Award, Academy of Management (2000)
• Excellence in Education Award (2004)

Beamish has received continuous research support from the National Science Foundation, California Energy Commission, and IGCC. His projects include studies on biosafety initiatives, climate governance, and regional planning. He mentors undergraduate researchers and teaches courses in environmental sociology, organizational studies, and social movements. He is actively involved in interdisciplinary research clusters focused on health, governance, and environmental humanities.