Lisa Wade

Lisa Wade is a sociologist, author, and professor known for her work examining gender, sexuality, and social inequality in contemporary American society. Her research and writing focus particularly on hook-up culture, sexual norms on college campuses, and gender politics. Wade gained widespread recognition with her 2017 book "American Hookup: The New Culture of Sex on Campus," which drew from research with college students to analyze casual sexual relationships in university settings. She also co-authored "Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions" and regularly contributes to academic and popular publications. As a public sociologist, Wade has written for outlets including The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Time. She founded and served as editor of the popular sociology blog Sociological Images from 2007 to 2017, which analyzed visual media through a sociological lens. Wade currently serves as a professor of sociology at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Her work continues to examine contemporary social issues through data-driven research and sociological analysis.

Readers value Wade's research-based approach and clear presentation of sociological concepts, particularly in "American Hookup." Comments highlight her use of student narratives and statistical data to examine campus culture. Positive feedback focuses on: - Accessible writing style that explains complex topics - Integration of personal stories with academic research - Balanced examination of hook-up culture without moralizing - Clear organization and presentation of evidence Common criticisms include: - Limited scope of research participants (primarily white, heterosexual students) - Some repetitive content - Focus on elite colleges rather than broader student experiences Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 from 2,800+ ratings Amazon: 4.3/5 from 180+ reviews One reader noted: "Wade presents compelling data while remaining neutral on whether hook-up culture is good or bad." Another wrote: "The analysis could have included more diverse student experiences beyond traditional four-year universities." Most discussion centers on "American Hookup," with fewer reviews of her other works.

American Hookup: The New Culture of Sex on Campus (2017) A sociological examination of casual sex and dating patterns among American college students, based on research across multiple universities.

Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions (2014) A textbook covering gender theory, social construction of gender, and intersectionality, co-authored with Myra Marx Ferree.

Assigned: Life with Gender (2019) An anthology of essays examining how gender shapes daily experiences and social institutions, co-edited with Chris Barcelos.

The New Science Wars (2023) An analysis of contemporary conflicts between scientific institutions and their critics, examining trust in science and scientific authority.

Michael Kimmel writes sociological analyses of masculinity and gender relations in contemporary society. His work examines similar themes to Wade's research on hookup culture and gender dynamics in higher education.

Paula England researches sexual behavior, gender, and relationships in college environments. Her empirical studies on casual sex and dating complement Wade's examination of campus sexuality.

Sherry Ortner focuses on power dynamics and cultural anthropology with attention to gender relations. Her work connects social structures to individual experiences in ways that parallel Wade's methodological approach.

Peggy Orenstein investigates contemporary sexual culture with emphasis on young people's experiences. Her research methods combine ethnographic observation and interview data to examine sexuality and relationships.

Kathleen Bogle studies dating, relationships, and sexual behavior among college students. Her work on hookup culture directly intersects with Wade's research focus and uses similar sociological frameworks.