Sociology Dept. chair sets 'Worlds in Motion'

Douglas Massey's interest in Latin America has led him to become chairperson of the Sociology Department, a leading researcher, an award-winning author -- and the adoptive father to a 6-year-old girl who immigrated from Paraguay. "Having to work through the immigration department personally gives you an idea that you wouldn't get from reading a book," said Massey, who nevertheless is co-writing a book entitled, Worlds in Motion, to be released in late next year. Although the work, according to Massey, "is a study of all developed nations who now receive immigration," his particular concentration is the inflow of Mexicans to the U.S. He frequently makes trips south of the border, where he has headed a research project since 1987. "[Massey] has by far the largest research project in that area and has the most important results in that field," Sociology Professor Sam Preston said. "He is one of the country's leading sociologists," he added. "We were very fortunate to recruit him back to Penn." Bringing his interest in Mexico to the University, Massey chaired the committee that established the Latin American Studies major. In addition to studying immigration, he also focuses on "racial segregation of American cities and its consequences for groups such as African Americans." Out of this research, Massey published his award-winning book American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass in 1993. The book -- which has been assigned throughout the years in sections of Political Science 1, "Intro to the Study of Politics" -- won both the 1995 Distinguished Publication Award and the 1994 Otis Dudley Duncan Award from the American Sociological Association. "We all hope that [our books] win awards and win recognition," Massey said. "I felt that it was a good book, but there are a lot of good books. I was pleased when it won." Besides academic pursuits, Massey devotes much of his time toward heading the Sociology Department. "Inevitably, chairing a department takes time away from teaching and research," said Massey, who added that he also chairs the search committee for a permanent dean for the School of Arts and Sciences and plays an administrative role in the Population Studies Center. But despite his many commitments, he still finds the time to interact with students, especially through departmental advising. "It is very refreshing to have an advisor who encourages you and your research," said Nolan Malone, a graduate student in demography and sociology.

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