Thomas W. Pearson

Dr. Thomas W. Pearson is a Professor and Department Chair in the Social Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, within the College of Arts & Human Sciences. His research bridges environmental justice, disability studies, and political ecology, with particular focus on community responses to environmental conflicts and disability narratives. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Binghamton University, complemented by an M.A. from the same institution and a B.A. in Sociology from Trinity Christian College.

His academic work includes two major books: When the Hills Are Gone (2017), analyzing frac sand mining impacts, and An Ordinary Future (2023), which intertwines memoir with disability studies. Current research examines PFAS contamination in the mid-Ohio River Valley and Upper Great Lakes regions, funded by the Wenner-Gren Foundation. Pearson’s writing spans academic journals (American Anthropologist, Cultural Anthropology) and public platforms like Sapiens Magazine.

Research interests emphasize disability rights, environmental toxicity, and social movements. His work often centers on how marginalized communities navigate industrial pollution, genetic engineering disputes, and disability stigma. Pearson actively engages in public anthropology, advocating for community-driven solutions to ecological and social challenges.