McVeigh's Academic Career and Contributions to Sociology
The field of sociology has been significantly shaped by scholars who bridge the gap between academic research and the analysis of complex political movements. One such figure is McVeigh, a distinguished sociologist whose career spans decades of teaching, high-level editorial leadership, and critical authorship on right-wing movements in the United States.
Academic Foundation and Early Career
McVeigh's journey in sociology began at the University of Arizona, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1991. He furthered his specialization at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, obtaining a master's degree in sociology in 1993 and a Ph.D. in the same field in 1996. While at Chapel Hill, he began his foray into academic publishing as an associate editor for Social Forces, a prominent academic journal. It was also during this period that he met his wife, Mim Thomas, who is also a sociologist.
Following his doctoral studies, McVeigh entered academia as an assistant professor of sociology at Skidmore College, serving from 1997 to 2002. He subsequently joined the faculty at the University of Notre Dame, where his career progressed steadily. He was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2005 and achieved the rank of full professor in 2009. By 2017, he reached a pinnacle of institutional recognition when he was appointed the Nancy Reeves Dreux Chair Professor of sociology.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Education: Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (1996).
- Current Standing: Nancy Reeves Dreux Chair Professor of sociology at the University of Notre Dame.
- Leadership: Elected as the 2028 president of the American Sociological Association (ASA).
- Major Works: Author of The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan (2009) and The Politics of Losing (2019).
- Editorial Roles: Former editor of Mobilization and co-editor of the American Sociological Review.
Research and Publications
McVeigh's research often intersects with political sociology—the study of how politics and society interact. In 2008, he co-authored an article titled "Red Counties, Blue Counties, and Occupational Segregation by Sex and Race," which earned an honorable mention for the American Sociological Association's Political Sociology Best Article Award.
Major Books
In 2009, the University of Minnesota Press published his first major book, The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan: Right-Wing Movements and National Politics. The work received extensive attention, with reviews in over a dozen news outlets and academic journals. Reviewers Heidi Beirich and Kevin Hicks noted that the book provided a sophisticated explanation for the rapid growth of the organization, which once exceeded three million members.
McVeigh continued his exploration of political resentment and right-wing dynamics with his second book, The Politics of Losing: Trump, the Klan, and the Mainstreaming of Resentment, published by Columbia University Press in 2019.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Editorial Leadership and Professional Service
Beyond his own writing, McVeigh has held influential roles in shaping sociological discourse through journal editorship. From 2009 to 2015, he served as the editor of Mobilization: An International Quarterly. Later, from 2015 to 2020, he co-edited the American Sociological Review alongside Sarah Mustillo and Omar Lizardo. This publication is recognized as the flagship journal of the American Sociological Association (ASA).
In May 2026, McVeigh was elected to serve as the 2028 president of the ASA. He won the election with 51% of the vote, compared to 37% for the runner-up, Melissa J. Wilde. During his campaign, McVeigh emphasized the necessity of the ASA in defending sociology against unprecedented political attacks.
Career Summary Table
| Period/Year | Role/Achievement | Institution/Publication |
|---|---|---|
| 1991-1996 | Academic Degrees (BA, MA, PhD) | Univ. of Arizona / UNC Chapel Hill |
| 1997-2002 | Assistant Professor | Skidmore College |
| 2005-2017 | Associate to Chair Professor | University of Notre Dame |
| 2009-2015 | Editor | Mobilization: An International Quarterly |
| 2015-2020 | Co-Editor | American Sociological Review |
| 2028 (Elect) | President | American Sociological Association |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did McVeigh earn his doctorate?
McVeigh received his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1996.
What are McVeigh's primary areas of research?
His work focuses on political sociology, specifically right-wing movements, the Ku Klux Klan, and the mainstreaming of political resentment.
Which flagship journal did McVeigh co-edit?
He served as a co-editor of the American Sociological Review from 2015 to 2020.
When will McVeigh assume the presidency of the American Sociological Association?
Having been elected in May 2026, he is scheduled to serve as the ASA president in 2028.
What was the focus of his 2009 book?
His book, The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan: Right-Wing Movements and National Politics, analyzed the rapid growth of the Klan, which at its peak had over three million members.