Director, Criminal Justice Studies Program Meigs Professor of Sociology Sarah K.S. Shannon joined the UGA Sociology Department in 2013 after receiving her PhD (and MSW) from the University of Minnesota. Sarah's research focuses on systems of criminal punishment and their effects on social life. Her interdisciplinary research has been published in top journals in several fields including sociology, criminology, public health, social work, and geography. Sarah is also an award-winning teacher, having received recognition for excellence in undergraduate instruction, research mentoring, creative teaching, and service-learning. She proudly facilitates UGA's first-ever Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program course in partnership with the Clarke County Jail (SOCI 4470S). As a publicly engaged scholar, Sarah’s research has been cited in several high profile media outlets including The New York Times, The Economist, and the Washington Post. Prior to her graduate work, Sarah worked in the non-profit sector. As a result, she cares about doing research that matters for academics, policy makers, and ordinary citizens. Teaching Accomplishments Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor. 2022. UGA Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost. Service-Learning Teaching Excellence Award. 2020. UGA Office of Service-Learning. Richard B. Russell Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. 2019. UGA Office of Academic Programs. Creative Teaching Award. 2019. UGA Office of Instruction. Research Mentoring Award. 2018. UGA Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities. Outstanding Professor. 2018. UGA Student Government Association. Service-Learning Fellows Program. 2017-2018. UGA Office of Service-Learning. Sandy Beaver Excellence in Teaching Award, 2017. Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia. Lilly Teaching Fellow. 2014-2016. University of Georgia, Center for Teaching and Learning. Education Education: PhD, Sociology, University of Minnesota, 2013 MSW, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, 2007 BA, Sociology, University of Iowa, 1997 Awards, Honors and Recognitions Of note: Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor. 2022. UGA Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost. Service-Learning Teaching Excellence Award. 2020. UGA Office of Service-Learning. Richard B. Russell Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. 2019. UGA Office of Academic Programs. Creative Teaching Award. 2019. UGA Office of Instruction. Research Mentoring Award. 2018. UGA Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities. Outstanding Professor. 2018. UGA Student Government Association. Service-Learning Fellows Program. 2017-2018. UGA Office of Service-Learning. Sandy Beaver Excellence in Teaching Award, 2017. Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia. Lilly Teaching Fellow. 2014-2016. University of Georgia, Center for Teaching and Learning.
