Sue Williams
Associate Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., Sociology, University of Connecticut, 1997
M.A., Sociology, Texas Tech University, 1990
B.A., Sociology, Texas Tech University, 1988
204 Waters Hall
785-532-6865
Research and Teaching Interests: Gender, Criminology, Youth, Violence, Diversity
Dr. L. Susan Williams, Professor of Sociology/Criminology, is a native of Texas, earning the Bachelor and Master of Sociology degrees at Texas Tech University. She studied at Louisiana State University and earned her PhD at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Williams specializes in juvenile justice, inequalities, and the importance of place. Most recently, she served as principal investigator and Project Director for Our Town Our Kids, a project serving communities and at-risk youth in western Kansas. The project earned a place in K-State’s Expressions of Strength in 2018 and 2019 and was presented to legislators in Washington DC; it is showcased at ourtownourkids.org. Known widely as an expert in multi-method research, Dr. Williams’ NSF study of adolescent girls broke ground in empirically documenting the independent effect of local community on life decisions of individual girls. Dr. Williams has directed funded projects totaling more than $2.2 million and published more than 50 articles and books in leading national and international sources. She has been recognized with numerous awards in teaching, research, and service, including the 2019 National Faculty Teacher of the Year, American Society ofCriminology, Victimology Division. Her practice-based research has resulted in international recognition, including awards from the IACPExcellence in Law Enforcement Research Award (2013), the American Society of Evidence Based Policing (2019), and the Kansas Department of Transportation People Saving People Award (2021).