Dr. Alford Young

Biography

Alford Young is the Edgar G. Epps Collegiate Professor of Sociology and a Professor of Afro-American Studies at the University of Michigan. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1996. His research primarily focuses on low-income, urban-based African Americans, particularly those employed in automobile manufacturing plants. Young's work involves understanding the social experiences of African Americans and how these experiences inform societal beliefs and ideologies. Through ethnographic interviewing and primary data collection, he seeks to explore the connections between individuals' social locations—such as residential experiences and work histories—and their worldviews. His aim is to contribute to the field of cultural sociology, especially regarding the urban poor, by establishing that behavior is significantly influenced by personal beliefs and social hierarchies.

Research Interests