Dr. Brandon A. Jackson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at John Jay College, City University of New York (CUNY). He previously worked as an Associate Professor at Purdue University (2020-2024) and began his career at the University of Arkansas (2013-2020). His forthcoming book, “Brotherhood University: Black Men’s Friendships and the Transition to Adulthood” (Rutgers University Press), will be published in June.
Dr. Jackson was born and raised in Texas. He discovered sociology during his undergraduate studies at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Studying sociology helped him to more fully understand the patterns of inequality that he noticed while a student at the predominantly White and wealthy university. Intrigued, he asked his professor during class, “What can I do with a sociology degree?” The professor’s answer, “You can be a professor,” convinced him to pursue an academic career.
As a graduate student at Florida State University, Dr. Jackson had the opportunity to interact with numerous highly regarded faculty members and fellow students. As faculty members mentored him on the specifics of an academic career, he found support among his cohort, peer mentor, and the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA). Additionally, as a McKnight Fellow, he was able to network with graduate students from across Florida. He fondly reflects on his time in Tallahassee and will always be grateful for the experience.
After completing his Ph.D., he started his career at the University of Arkansas. During his seven years there, he was promoted to Associate Professor and served as the Assistant Director of the African and African American Studies Program. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he transitioned to Purdue University. While at Purdue, Dr. Jackson finalized his book manuscript, taught large sections of Introductory Sociology (450 students!), and in 2021 received the Daryl P. Evans Outstanding Teaching Award.
Dr. Jackson joined the John Jay College faculty during the Spring 2024 semester. He was excited about working in New York City and joining the CUNY system. Additionally, as a first-generation college student, he appreciates the college’s social justice mission, as John Jay College is a Minority Serving Institution and Hispanic Serving Institution, and 50 percent of the students are the first in their families to attend college.
In his research, Dr. Jackson employs qualitative research methods to examine the relationship between racial inequality, emotions, and social support. As a graduate student, he received research awards from the Association of Black Sociologists and the Society for the Study of Social Problems. In addition to his book, he has a forthcoming article in RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, and his previous work has appeared in the ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Sociological Inquiry, Symbolic Interaction, and the DuBois Review.
In 2021, he married Dr. Brittany N. Hearne, and in 2023, they welcomed their first child, Everett. In his spare time (what is that??), he cultivates his interests in watches and travel (this summer, he and his family are visiting Copenhagen, Pisa/Florence, and Montreal). He wishes for more time to enjoy movies, reading, producing music, and DJing.