Race

Yesterday and TodayFlint Hills Room, 2:50-3:30pm (Session Period 2)

Race is a complex and multifaceted concept. This panel will explore the story of race from both biological and sociological perspectives. Dr. Marta Alfonso-Durruty will discuss contemporary anthropological insights on race. Then, Dr. Nadia Shapkina will explore the sociology of race, focusing on social mechanisms that contribute to racial formation. In recent times, one of the significant lightning rods of racial controversy have been issues surrounding criminal justice. Dr. Kevin Steinmetz will provide a brief overview of the implications for criminal justice stemming from race including mass incarceration, police activities, and crime. The panel will end with Q&A and dialog about the issues discussed. The intended audience for this panel are both students and members of the public interested in hearing a brief-yet-robust framing of race and the collateral consequences thereof.

Presenters

Dr. Nadia Shapkina
Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work

Dr. Nadia Shapkina is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at Kansas State University. Her research is in the field of sociology of gender, particularly gender inequality, gender-based violence, and feminist movements. Dr. Shapkina conducts research on sex trafficking of women and anti-trafficking organizations.

Dr. Marta Alfonso-Durruty
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work

Dr. Alfonso-Durruty researches prehistoric human remains from Chile. In her studies, Dr. Alfonso-Durruty examines the health status and degree of environmental and social adaptation of past populations. Dr. Alfonso-Durruty is particularly interested on the effects of diet on health, the health consequences of the transition to agriculture, gender and social status differences.

D. Kevin Steinmetz
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work

Dr. Kevin Steinmetz is a criminologist on faculty within the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work. He maintains multiple research interests but his primary area of study is technocrime and control. In addition, Dr. Steinmetz examines racial inequalities within the criminal justice system as well as issues surrounding popular culture, crime, and crime control.