Stacy Lom

StacyLom2008@u.northwestern.edu
Advisor: Espeland

Areas of Interest

Culture, Organizations, Knowledge, Evaluation, Quantification, Qualitative Methods

Current Research

My dissertation research investigates the development and effects of evaluative cultures (shared meanings and practices surrounding evaluation). People in different contexts often struggle with deciding how to evaluate performance. Some fields abide by evaluative cultures based on strict, quantitative rules for evaluating performance, whereas others rely on deliberation. Drawing on a combination of qualitative methods, my research offers a comparative account of evaluative cultures, focusing on two fields with an explicit focus on aesthetic value: figure skating and classical music. In both fields, it is not obvious why someone wins or does well, but participants must make and defend formal, definitive evaluations. Three core questions guide my research: 1) Why do different fields develop different evaluative cultures? 2) How do different evaluative cultures affect performance and behavior? 3) How do different fields manage tensions between the technical and artistic sides of performance and evaluation? Evaluation plays a central role in how we think about and organize the world, and differences in evaluative cultures have a profound impact on how we make decisions, how we allocate status and power, and how we promote or confront inequality.

Awards/Honors

2009-2010, Helen O. Piros Fellowship, Northwestern University

William Henry Exum Award

The intent of this prize is to honor the memory of William Henry Exum, a member of the Department of Sociology and the African American Studies Department, who died in 1986 at the age of 37. Exum was concerned with the quality of writing and research analysis in student papers. He was also interested in racial problems facing minority youths in higher education. This award was established as a means of continuing his goals of breaking barriers for all minorities.

The award submission deadline is April 27, 2012. All interested students should submit a 15-20 page paper, typed and double-spaced, on a topic dealing with race and ethnicity. Students are not limited to a sociological approach in preparing their submissions, nor is the award limited to sociology or social science majors.

The paper should include a cover sheet with the student's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, year in school, and major.

Three copies of the essay must be submitted by the announced deadline to the Exum Award - Department of Sociology, 1810 Chicago Ave., Evanston Campus or one copy by email to sociol@northwestern.edu.

This award is open to all undergraduate students from all disciplines.

Upcoming Events

COLLOQUIUM: Aldon Morris, Sociology, Northwestern University
May 24, 2012 • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM