Alexes Harris

Professor Harris is a sociologist who uses a mixed-method approach to study institutional decision-making. Her research interests focus on social stratification processes and racial and ethnic disparities. She investigates how contact with varying institutions (educational, juvenile and criminal justice and economic) impact individuals’ life chances. Frequently, her work combines data types in order to illustrate both the macro context of the problem at hand, and at the same time investigate the micro processes leading to outcomes. Using participant observation, interview, and statistical methods my work has investigated how institutional actors assess, label, and process individuals and groups, and how those processed respond. Professor Harris’ aim is to produce research that is theoretically informed and empirically rich, and research that is of value in local, state, and national policy arenas.

Professor Harris has taught undergraduate courses on race and ethnicity, social problems, juvenile justice, and special topics courses, such as credit markets and criminal sentencing. She also teaches the graduate-level research methods course on qualitative research methods, and has taught juvenile justice.

Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 2002

• Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee
• Awaiting Senate Confirmation
• Term:  October 21, 2022 to September 30, 2025