Alford A. Young

Faculty by courtesy

Alford A. Young

Alford A. Young, Jr. is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of Sociology and a professor of African and African American studies, with a courtesy appointment at the Ford School. He serves as associate director of U-M's Center for Social…

State & Hill

Faculty news, fall 2023

Dec 12, 2023

Axelrod's adventures Robert Axelrod, William D. Hamilton Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, writes about the difficulties and rewards of interdisciplinary collaboration in his new autobiography, A Passion for Cooperation: Adventures...

Headshots of Axelrod, Cavaillé, Michelmore, Neggers, Ostfeld, Parthasarathy, Pilkauskas, Stange, Torres, and Weiss

News

Lantz and Young among new senior fellows in Michigan Society of Fellows

Nov 17, 2023

The Michigan Society of Fellows is welcoming its newest cohort of 13 senior fellows, including the Ford School's Paula Lantz and Alford Young. The new senior fellows will join the 16 who were appointed in years past to help create a spirited...

News

Four named University Diversity and Social Transformation Professors

Jul 20, 2023

Four U-M faculty members have been named University Diversity and Social Transformation Professors for their exceptional contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion through research, teaching and service. The Board of Regents approved the...

Paula M. Lantz, Antoinette Louise Toppin, Kyle P. Whyte and Alford A. Young Jr.

In the Media

Young: The list of things to warn Black children about keeps getting longer

May 11, 2023

Alford Young Jr., The New York Times: Black parents contacted by NBC News said they are infused with heightened fear and rage that safe spaces outside the home are shrinking. “This young man was trying to find his siblings,” said Alford Young Jr.,...

News

U-M expert: Change won’t happen overnight to improve race relations

May 4, 2023

It has been a topic that many Black parents in the United States have discussed with their children in recent decades—staying safe from harm or being killed by law enforcement. But in recent months, the conversation now extends to Black youths...

News

U-M’s Earl Lewis to receive National Humanities Medal

Mar 20, 2023

University of Michigan professor Earl Lewis, founding director of the Center for Social Solutions and Ford School faculty, will be awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden during a White House ceremony March 21. The National...

News

Ford School faculty contribute to Anti-Racism Hiring Initiative

Oct 31, 2022

Three Ford School faculty members have played an integral role in U-M's Anti-Racism Hiring Initiative, providing expertise and guidance to the initiative. The Anti-Racism Hiring Initiative is led by the Office of the Provost and aims to bring 21...

In the Media

Young provides context for proposed CRT legislation

Aug 1, 2021 Holland Sentinel

Michigan Senate Bill 460 was created in response to calls to ban schools from teaching critical race theory (CRT). Alford Young, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of Sociology and a professor of public policy and African and African...

In the Media

Young: equality doesn't equal equity

Jun 9, 2021 Health.com

People often use the terms "equity" and "equality" interchangeably. But, according to Alford Young, the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of Sociology and a professor of African and African American Studies and Ford school courtesy...

In the Media

Young: Multiple factors need to be considered when examining why COVID-19 has impacted the Black community disproportionately

Sep 10, 2020 Inside Higher Ed

In an Academic Minute mini-podcast produced by Inside Higher Ed, Ford School courtesy faculty Alford Young says household density, economic security and cultural factors heighten susceptibility of low-income Black...

News

Young and Lewis comment on rise in Black gun ownership

Aug 31, 2020

The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and the upcoming presidential election and the need to assert gun rights are spurring increases in gun ownership, according to an article in the Detroit Free Press . And in the midst of these...

News

Combating poverty and inequality amidst a pandemic

Jul 19, 2020

Ford School Dean Michael S. Barr, Associate Dean and Poverty Solutions Director Luke Shaefer and Alford A. Young Jr., Professor of Sociology and African and African American Studies and courtesy faculty at the Ford School, discussed some of the ways...

Luke Shaefer, Michael Barr, and Al Young

Young says calls to defund the police are about reform and regulation

Jun 16, 2020

An article in Bridge news on June 15 says that “as thousands of protesters across Michigan and the nation march against racial injustice and police brutality, one policy proposal has emerged as a rallying cry: defund the police.” Ford School...

Young says excessive police use of force in Michigan and across the country presents contradictions

Jun 1, 2020

Alford A. Young, Jr., courtesy faculty at the Ford School and Arthur F. Thurnau professor in the department of sociology and a professor of African and African American studies, reacted to protests in Michigan and across the country against police...

News

On Michigan Radio, Alford Young Jr. calls for increased faculty diversity

Jan 6, 2016

In a recent interview on Michigan Radio, Alford Young Jr. discusses the lack of faculty diversity in the U.S. with Michigan State professor Django Paris. According to the article, 3.3 percent of University of Michigan faculty members are black,...

Policy Talks @ the Ford School

Combating poverty and inequality amidst a pandemic

Jul 15, 2020, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT

Luke Shaefer, Alford A. Young Jr., and Michael S. Barr will discuss some of the ways that policymakers and communities are attempting to combat poverty during the COVID-19 crisis.

Luke Shaefer delivers a talk at the Ford School

Combating poverty and inequality amidst a pandemic

Jul 15, 2020 1:01:00

Luke Shaefer, Alford A. Young Jr., and Michael S. Barr, discuss some of the ways that policymakers and communities are attempting to combat poverty during this crisis. July 2020.