Zawadi Rucks-Ahidiana is an assistant professor of sociology at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Her research and teaching focus on racial inequality in the areas of gentrification, wealth, and media representation. Building on her skills in qualitative, quantitative, and spatial data analysis, she explores the varied ways that racial inequalities are produced and reproduced, and how they affect the lives of Black and Brown people in the U.S.

Prior to pursuing a PhD, Zawadi worked in evaluation research for eight years. At MDRC, she focused on projects aimed at improving job placements for low-wage workers. She also worked at the Community College Research Center, where she provided evaluations of orientation courses for first-year community college courses and online instruction.

EDUCATION:

• PhD in Sociology, University of California, Berkeley
• MA in Sociology, University of California, Berkeley
• MPA in Public and Nonprofit Management, New York University
• BS in Environmental Science and Policy, University of Maryland at College Park

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