The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodations for this event, contact the Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at: 206-543-6450/V, 206-543-6452/TTY, 206-685-7264 (Fax), or email at dso@uw.edu.
Alexes Harris, Ph.D.
Alexes Harris will present the 2012 Samuel E. Kelly Distinguished Faculty Lecture. Dr. Harris is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington. Her degrees in the field of sociology are from the University of Washington (B.A., 1997) and the University of California, Los Angeles (M.A., 1999; Ph.D., 2002). Her research and teaching interests are in social stratification and inequality, the juvenile and criminal justice system, race and ethnicity, and qualitative research methods. She has authored and co-authored research articles in journals including the American Journal of Sociology, the American Sociological Review, Law and Society Review, the Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, and Race and Society. Dr. Harris is currently developing a book manuscript that investigates the imposition of monetary sanctions to persons convicted of felony offenses in the United States and specifically in Washington state. She was recently honored by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as one of the magazine’s top “Under 40” scholars from around the country who are making their mark through teaching, research, and service.
Lecture Topic
The U.S. Criminal Justice System:
Race, Poverty and Permanent Punishments
Alexes Harris’ research investigates the use of monetary sanctions or legal financial obligations (LFOs) (fines, fees, restitution and surcharges) as criminal sentences in the United States. More specifically, she is examining the assessment, collections and sanctioning processes related to LFOs in Washington state. Dr. Harris uses data compiled from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission, 90 interviews with felony defendants, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, clerks and State legislators, and over 100 observations of sentencing and violation hearings in five Washington state counties (King, Pierce, Clark, Yakima and Spokane). The analysis outlines the strikingly different ways counties conduct assessments and collections of felony defendants (using the same mandate from the Washington state code) and the variety of consequences (e.g., re-incarceration, long-term debt, continue criminal justice surveillance) related to this sentencing practice. Dr. Harris is currently writing a book manuscript on the use and consequences of monetary sanctions in the United States, using Washington as a case study.
Samuel E. Kelly
Named in honor of the University of Washington’s first Vice President for the Office of Minority Affairs (1970), the annual Samuel E. Kelly Distinguished Faculty Lecture is dedicated to acknowledging the work of our distinguished faculty by spotlighting nationally recognized research focusing on diversity and social justice. Understanding differences takes place where there are opportunities to learn and become more informed about other people’s viewpoints, historical perspectives, life experiences, cultures, customs and contributions. Educational institutions have an opportunity and responsibility through teaching and research to promote awareness of diversity and its importance within a campus community and society.
Nomination Criteria
In choosing the UW faculty member to deliver the 2011 Samuel E. Kelly Distinguished Faculty Lecture, the selection committee will look for evidence in three aspects of their research:
- Nominee’s research contributes substantially to new knowledge about diversity and social justice locally, nationally, or internationally
- Nominee’s research alters the way we think about diversity or the way fields or disciplines approach diversity
- Nominee’s research encourages dialogue, promotes reflection, and inspires action
Nomination Procedures
Nominations of UW faculty for the lecture may be submitted by anyone at the University or in the community. The nomination must include the following:
- One letter of nomination addressing the criteria above
- A supporting letter from the nominee’s chair or director
- The nominee’s curriculum vitae
*Please note, nominations submitted last year will also be considered for this year.
Submit nominations by February 23, 2011 to:
Stephanie Miller, Assistant Vice President for Community and Public Relations
Office of the Vice President for Minority Affairs & Vice Provost for Diversity
University of Washington
320 Mary Gates Hall, Box 352835
Seattle, WA 98195
Email: symiller@uw.edu
Phone: 206.685.2557
Past Lecturers
2011
Dr. Luis Fraga
Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement
Russell F. Stark University Professor
Director, Diversity Research Institute
Professor, Department of Political Science
Change and Continuity: Latinos in the Future of America
2010
Dr. Richard Ladner
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Department of Electrical Engineering
Department of Linguistics
Designing and Building Technology Empower People.
2009
Dr. Biren (Ratnesh) Nagda
School of Social Work
Embracing Difference, Engendering Justice: From the Courthouse to the Classroom to the Community Center.
2008
Dr. Joy Williamson
College of Education
Black Students, Campus Activism, and the Reform of Higher Education: History and Legacy.
2007
Dr. Karina Walters
School of Social Work
From Dis-placement to Dis-Ease: Embodiment and Expression of Historical Trauma among Indigenous Women.
2006
Dr. Devon G. Pena
Department of Anthropology/American Ethnic Studies
Place, Identity and Social Justice in the City; The Story of an Indigenous Diaspora.
2005 Inaugural Lecture
Dr. Quintard Taylor
Department of History
From Civil Rights to Black Power in the West: The Movement in Seattle, 1960-1970
Read latest post here
Share your UW story here!
Find more information here
