KU News Release

KU sociology department ranked among nation’s most gender friendly

LAWRENCE — Sociologists for Women in Society has ranked the Department of Sociology at the University of Kansas as one of the most gender- and women-friendly departments in the nation.

The ranking appeared in the organization’s 2008 Report Card on Gender and Women Friendly Departments. Sociologists for Women in Society is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization founded in 1969.

Each year, Sociologists for Women in Society recognizes and awards its “Seal of Excellence” to those sociology departments that excel in both the representation of women on the faculty and representation of gender inequality scholarship conducted by the department. Sociologists for Women in Society asserts that such departments are likely to be the most gender- and women-friendly departments in the country.

Of the 22 doctoral-granting institutions recognized by the sociologists group for excellence in gender-friendliness, 11 are among most prestigious sociology departments in the country as named by U.S. News and World Report (2008), including KU.

“We have a long standing commitment to both research in gender inequality and to gender equity in our own workplace,” said Bill Staples, professor and department chair. “We are very proud that our department is included along with these other fine institutions.”

Other schools on the final list include Cornell University, Stanford University, University of California-Davis and the University of Colorado-Boulder.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.