PhD, Sociology, 2002
MA, Sociology, 1998
BA, Sociology, 1996
Copyright Aaron M. McCright. All rights reserved.
MSU Address
509 East Circle Drive, Room 317
East Lansing, MI 48824-1111
office: 517-353-6790
e-mail: mccright@msu.edu
Aaron M. McCright is Professor of Sociology & Chairperson in the Department of Sociology at Michigan State University. His sociological research investigates how interrelationships among scientific developments, political processes, & social dynamics influence society’s capacity for recognizing & dealing with environmental degradation & technological risks. Dr. McCright is most well-known for his work analyzing the political dynamics & public understanding of climate science & policy in the United States—especially organized climate change denial & political polarization on climate change.
In addition, his recent work helps to improve our sociological understanding of societal risk & increase the effectiveness of our risk governance for promoting a more sustainable society. Dr. McCright also investigates the roles of public opinion for social movements, especially how we can us public opinion surveys to investigate how citizens identify with different social movements over their life course. Further, he conducts research on the effectiveness of inquiry-based learning projects for improving students’ scientific & statistical knowledge, skills, & attitudes.
He has published two books, has authored several chapters in edited volumes, & has written a few commissioned reports. His work also has been published in such scholarly journals as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; Nature Climate Change; Nature Energy; Global Environmental Change; Climatic Change; Public Opinion Quarterly; Social Problems; Social Science Quarterly; Theory, Culture, & Society; The Sociological Quarterly; Journal of Risk Research; Organization & Environment; Environment & Behavior; Population & Environment; & Environmental Politics.
He was named a 2007 Kavli Frontiers Fellow in the National Academy of Sciences, he served as a 2008-2009 Lilly Teaching Fellow at MSU, & he received the 2009 Teacher-Scholar Award & the 2009 Curricular Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Award at MSU.