People

I have been involved with IVSA since I attended the first Bologna meetings 1996. This was also my introduction to visually focused research. As a long time photo-enthusiast, I am both a maker and appreciator of photographs of all genres. The IVSA  offered a way to bring both my love of photography together with my academic pursuits in Cultural Sociology. 

Although I am probably much better known as a Sociologist who studies Urban Neighborhoods and much more likely to define myself as an Activist or Public Scholar, almost all of my work has been "visual" in one way or another.  I came to my first International Visual Sociology Association meeting  in 1997 at the suggestion of a member of  the American Sociological Association Urban Community Section who thought what I did was "Visual Sociology." 

I love the debate that ensues when someone tells me, ‘you can’t read a photograph’. Knowing that the body of research continues to grow among visualistas considering the various aspects of all things visual heartens me and gives me backing for my debates. 

I am a Sociologist and Associate Professor in The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. I am also the Past-President of the International Visual Sociology Association.