Background and Interests

I was born and raised in Missouri, and (except for a year as a visiting student in Oxford) have lived and been educated all across that state's I-70 corridor. In 2003, I defended my doctoral dissertation in sociology with a collateral field in psychology.

My primary areas of specialization include social psychology, social theory, research methodologies, education studies, and the study of science, knowledge, and technology. I maintain active research agendas in these areas. I have also taught numerous sections of a dozen different classes since I began teaching college in 1997. See the "Research" and "Teaching" sections of this website for more details.

I am an ardent bibliophile and self-avowed nerd — I’ve never met a book or a gadget to which I didn’t want to give a good home. But I am also an inveterate adrenalin junkie, and most of my other pastimes have tended to involve excessive speeds, high places, and large pointy objects.

My CV can be found at right. As time permits, I will add links relevant to some of my personal interests and activities.