Dr. Andrew Abbott

Biography

Andrew Abbott is the Gustavus F. and Ann M. Swift Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Sociology and the College at the University of Chicago. He earned his B.A. in History Literature from Harvard University in 1970 and his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago in 1982. Prior to his current position, Abbott was a faculty member at Rutgers University for thirteen years. He is well-known for his contributions to ecological theories of occupations and has pioneered algorithmic analysis of social sequence data. Abbott has published twelve books and eighty articles, including significant works such as 'System of Professions' (Chicago, 1988) and 'Processual Sociology' (Chicago, 2016). His research interests involve professions work, urban sociology, historical sociology, methodology, and general social theory. Abbott has also contributed to academic administration by chairing numerous dissertation committees and serving as Chair of the Department of Sociology. He held the position of President of the Social Science History Association in 2002-2003 and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Research Interests