Assistant Professor

Sociology

"And of course I am afraid, because the transformation of silence into language and action is an act of self-revelation, and that always seems fraught with danger." -- Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider

There is a certain safety and comfort in invisibility, in navigating societal systems without causing too many disruptions, too many changes. Being invisible can allow one to navigate inhospitable, racist, and/or sexist systems, however, it can also make one feel and act complicit to these same structures. Thus, choosing to act, choosing to tell one's own stories can be not just an act of personal agency, but also an act of bravery. My current research interests lie in considering how individuals navigate this tension of being made invisible, feeling hypervisible, and choosing when or where to be (or not be) visible. Some of this work extends to my exploration of digital spaces and social media, to understand how individuals can use their social networks to create intentional spaces, counternarratives and counterpublics -- from studying how Black and Asian women navigate gendered racism online and offline to how transracial adoptees challenge mainstream narratives of adoption. I do this work attempting to find data and methods that speak to the specific question I'm studying, generally using frames and tools from Black Feminist Theory, Digital Sociology, and Social Networks, and where I can practicing mixed methods to gain a deeper understanding of any phenomenon. When I'm not in the midst of my research or teaching, you'll find me marveling at how I ended up among breathtaking mountains after growing up within an immigrant family from tropical islands. I am thrilled to be here and to be a part of the CC community. If you want to chat with me or find out about my non-academic worlds, I'll probably be looking for ways to play rugby, debating New England sports, watching TV, or generally hanging out with my young kids and partner. If anything I've included here sparks your interest, please come see me and I'd love to hear more about you as well.

Areas: race and ethnicity; gender and feminism; intersectionality; social networks; violence and aggression; digital media and data ethics; social psychology

The Correct Email for Professor Inara Rodis is inararodis@coloradocollege.edu

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Regular Classes