Dr. Brian Dill

Associate Professor

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Biography

Brian Dill is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He holds affiliate positions in the Department of Geography & Geographic Information Science, the Center for African Studies, and the Center for Global Studies. Brian currently serves as Chair of the Sociology of Development section of the American Sociological Association and as Secretary/Treasurer of Research Committee 09: Social Transformations and Sociology of Development in the International Sociological Association. His research interests include social development, global and transnational sociology, and political sociology, focusing on the relational dynamics of uneven development. He challenges the common perception that struggling communities are simply 'left behind', arguing instead that rural industrial communities are deeply embedded in economic systems that generate growth elsewhere. His current projects aim to develop the concept of networked ruralism, examining rural redevelopment as part of multi-scalar economic, political, and social networks. He advocates for a reparative turn in development, recognizing that the prosperity of certain places often depends on the extraction of resources, labor, and opportunities from others, and designs futures to confront and repair these imbalances.

Research Interests

Courses

Soc 122: Africa World Perspective Soc 161: Introduction to Poverty Soc 226: Political Sociology Soc 364: Impacts of Globalization Soc 561: Development Theories Soc 596: Global Transnational Sociology Global Studies 350: Poverty in Global Context Global Studies 450: Poverty Interventions Evaluation

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.