Wichita State University
Dr. Jenny Pearson
Professor of Sociology
Office: 400 Lindquist HallPhone: (316) 978-7145Email: jennifer.pearson@wichita.edu
Dr. Jenny Pearson teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in the sociology of gender, sexualities, education, and research methods. Her research explores the importance of social contexts such as schools and families for adolescent development and well-being, and her work is driven by an interest in how inequalities are reproduced within these institutions. She has published her research in top journals in her discipline and areas of specialization, including Gender & Society, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Sociological Perspectives, Social Science Research, and Journal of LGBT Youth, among others.
In the classroom, Dr. Pearson emphasizes how students can apply the tools of sociology to their own lives, drawing attention to how social structures and structural inequalities impact their relationships, experiences, and behaviors. Outside of the classroom, she supports students as faculty advisor for student organizations Spectrum: LGBTQ & Allies and Shocker Sociology Club, and she collaborates with organizations on and off campus to make spaces and policies more inclusive and equitable for all students. As Research Coordinator for GLSEN Kansas, Dr. Pearson facilitates research collaboration and translates research findings to the local community to support the organization and inform local policy.
You can learn more about Dr. Pearson's research by reading her CV or visiting her Research Gate or Google Scholar pages.
Selected Publications
- Wilkinson, Lindsey, Dara Shifrer, and Jennifer Pearson. Forthcoming. “Educational Outcomes of Gender Diverse Students: A National Population-Based Study.” Gender & Society.
- Erickson, Jacob and Jennifer Pearson. Forthcoming. “Excluding Whom? An Examination of Race, Gender, and Suspension.” Education and Urban Society.
- Pearson, Jennifer, Lindsey Wilkinson, Jamie Wooley-Snider. 2020. “State-Level Policy, School Victimization, and Suicide Risk among Sexual Minority Youth.” Advances in Medical Sociology. Volume on Sexual and Gender Minority Health.
- Pearson, Jennifer. 2018. “High School Context, Heterosexual Scripts, and Young Women’s Sexual Development.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47: 1469-85.
- Wilkinson, Lindsey, Jennifer Pearson, and Hui Liu. 2018. “Educational Attainment of Transgender Adults: Does the Timing of Transgender Identity Milestones Matter?” Social Science Research 74:146-60.
- Pearson, Jennifer, Lisa Thrane and Lindsey Wilkinson. 2017. “Consequences of Runaway and Throwaway Experiences for Sexual Minority Health during the Transition to Adulthood.” Journal of LGBT Youth 14: 145-171.
- Pearson, Jennifer and Lindsey Wilkinson. 2017. “Same-Sex Sexuality and Educational Attainment: The Pathway to College.” Journal of Homosexuality 64: 538-576.
- Wilkinson, Lindsey and Jennifer Pearson. 2015. “Same-Sex Sexuality and Post-Secondary Outcomes: The Role of High School Locale.” Sociological Perspectives 58:380-401.
- Shifrer, Dara, Jennifer Pearson, Chandra Muller, and Lindsey Wilkinson. 2015. “College-Going Benefits of High School Sports Participation: Race and Gender Differences over Three Decades.” Youth & Society 47:295-318.
- Wilkinson, Lindsey and Jennifer Pearson. 2013. “High School Religious Context and Reports of Same-Sex Attraction and Sexual Identity in Young Adulthood.” Social Psychology Quarterly 76: 180-202.
- Pearson, Jennifer and Lindsey Wilkinson. 2013. “Family Relationships and Adolescent Well-being: Are Families Equally Protective for Same-Sex Attracted Youth?” Journal of Youth and Adolescence 42: 376-393.