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Ana Villarreal is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Boston University. Her research draws on ethnography and social theory to advance sociological understandings of violence, emotions, and urban dynamics, particularly regarding the socio-spatial divides in Latin America. Her forthcoming book, 'Faces of Fear: Violence and Inequality in the Mexican Metropolis,' published by Oxford University Press in 2024, is based on years of qualitative fieldwork in Monterrey, Mexico. It traces the far-reaching impact of fear and violence on social ties and everyday practices in urban spaces. The book emphasizes the dual nature of fear, which can isolate individuals and concentrate resources, further deepening inequality. Villarreal is the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Book Award from the American Sociological Association and the Edwin H. Sutherland Book Award from the Society for the Study of Social Problems. Her academic contributions include articles in 'Sociological Theory' and 'Emotions and Society,' where she conceptualizes fears and strategies that individuals use to cope with violence on a daily basis. Villarreal teaches sociological theory and methods at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to make theoretical concepts relevant and relatable. She has received the Gitner Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2025.
Boston University • Boston, MA
Teaching courses in sociological theory, urban inequality, and qualitative methods.
Department of Law offers JD, LLM, and Master's in Study of Tax Law.