The American Sociological Association International Migration Section named Dr. Elizabeth Aranda (University of South Florida) and Dr. Elizabeth Vaquera (George Washington University) as co-winners of the 2024 Award for Public Sociology in International Migration. This award recognizes individuals who apply scholarly knowledge directly to public work addressing immigration and related issues, contribute scholarly knowledge for public use, or otherwise improve the lives of migrants or refugees.
“We are honored to receive this recognition for our work in public sociology,” said Dr. Aranda. “Our efforts have always been geared towards making scholarly research accessible and impactful, especially as it relates to the well-being of Latinos and immigrants.”
For nearly two decades, Dr. Aranda and Dr. Vaquera have made significant strides in public sociology. They have authored op-eds in major outlets, communicated complex issues in both Spanish and English media, and provided support to junior scholars. Most recently, they launched the Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative, a network of researchers, centers, and institutes working together to translate research on the lived experiences of immigrants and their communities for impact in state and national policymaking.
“Receiving this award is a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Dr. Vaquera. “One of our main goals is to mentor scholars, particularly those from underrepresented groups. This recognition inspires us to continue fostering inclusive research environments.”
Congratulations to Dr. Aranda and Dr. Vaquera for their exceptional contributions and well-deserved recognition!
Johanna Cajina serves as the Communications Lead for the Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative.