Dr. Shyon Baumann

Biography

Shyon Baumann is Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto, having joined the institution in 2002 after completing his PhD in Sociology at Harvard University. He served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of 'Poetics' from 2015 to 2017 and has held various administrative roles within the University of Toronto. His teaching focuses on the sociology of media and culture, as well as the logic of social inquiry. Baumann's research centers on the sociology of culture, particularly the influences that social status and legitimacy have on cultural productions. He investigates how cultural consumption is linked to social inequality through various mediums including film, television, advertising, music, and food. Currently, his projects include studies on the production and consumption of humanely and sustainably raised meat, the theorization of taste in aesthetic objects, and the relationships between cultural consumption preferences and behaviors. He collaborates with co-authors on publications aimed at understanding the cultural implications of consumption and choices.

Research Interests