Professor

Ph.D. New York University

Research Interests

Cultural sociology, Gender and sexuality, Theory, Inequality

Contact Information

Em: acraig@mun.ca
Office: A-5015

Personal Profile

Ailsa Craig is a cultural sociologist with interests in cultural economies, gender and sexual diversity, and inequality. Dr. Craig’s work includes research on poets and poetry communities that addresses field-specific questions and concerns regarding contemporary poets' lives and contexts. This research on poets and poetry communities contributes to larger questions about passionate dedication to central life activities and thereby provides a critique of more rationalist approaches to understanding the creation and maintenance of commitment. 
Dr. Craig's critical reviews have appeared in Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, Contemporary Sociology, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Sexuality & Culture. A Fulbright Scholar, Craig has been interviewed for Weekend America (National Public Radio in the United States), Quill & Quire Magazine, The Globe and Mail, CBC Radio and the National Post and other news media. While at New York University Dr. Craig received the Dean's Award for outstanding teaching and at Memorial has twice been recognized as a ‘Vagina Warrior’ (an award given to acknowledge those who work to end gender-based violence and inequality). A queer and trans activist, Craig was also selected as a Community Leadership Marshall for the St. John’s 2014 Pride Parade and is founder of Make it Better NL which works to build community and provide resources and awareness about gender diversity and sexuality in Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Craig has also served as an assistant editor for Sociological Forum, and is currently an editor for the American Sociological Association’s Culture Section Newsletter.

Research

"Sustainability, Reciprocity and the Shared Good(s) of Poetry" Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society. Vol. 37.

"Practicing Poetry: A Career Without a Job." In Craig Calhoun and Richard Sennett (Eds.) Practicing Culture. Oxford: Routledge.

Review of "Sex and Borders: Gender, National Identity, and Prostitution Policy in Thailand," Contemporary Sociology: A Journal of Reviews.

"Extending the Promise: Critical Reflexivity and Cross-cultural Theorization. A review of The Ethnological Imagination: A Cross-Cultural Critique of Modernity by Fuyuki Kurasawa," Topia: Canadian Journal of Cultural Studies, No. 15.