Department of Sociology
761 Gladfelter Hall
Temple University
Philadelphia PA 19122
Phone: 215 204 7980
Fax: 215 204 3352
Email: mbyng@temple.edu
Michelle D. Byng
Academic Appointments
Temple University
1998-present Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
1992-1998 Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
Northwestern University
1991-1992
National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Urban Affairs and Policy
Research
Research Appointments
1996
Islam in the African American Experience, Lilly Endowment
Principle Investigators: Larry Mamiya and C. Eric Lincoln
1980-1981 Black Middletown Project, National Institute of Health
Principle Investigator: Rutledge Dennis
Education
University of Virginia
1992 Ph.D. Sociology
Virginia Commonwealth University
1983 M.S. Sociology
1979 B.S. Sociology
Research Areas and Teaching
Research
Race and Ethnic Relations, Race and Racism, Muslim Americans, Islam in the United States
Current Project: “Muslim Americans and the Social Construction of Identity”
Courses Taught
Undergraduate: Introduction to Sociology, Sociology of Race and Racism, American Ethnicity, Political Sociology, Race
and Ethnic Stratification, Constructing Race and Ethnicity, History and Significance of Race in America
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Graduate: Seminar in Race and Ethnicity, Seminar in Theories of Race and Racism
Publications
Refereed Articles and Book Chapters
2010
“Symbolically Muslim: Media, Hijab, and the West” Critical Sociology, Vol. 36, No.1, pp.109-129.
2008
“Complex Inequalities: The Case of Muslim Americans After 9/11” American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 51, No.
5, pp. 659-674.
2008
“Disrupted Assimilation: September 11 and the War on Terror News Frame.” Journal of Social and Ecological
Boundaries, Vol. 3, No.1, pp. 227-252.
2004
“Sexism, Racism and African American Muslim Women: What Does Wearing Hijab Mean to Them?” Pp. 351364 in Rodney Coates (Ed.), Race and Ethnicity—Across Time, Space and Discipline. Boston: Brill Academic
Publishers.
1998
“Mediating Discrimination: Resisting Oppression Among African-American Muslim Women.” Social Problems,
Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 473-487.
1998
“The Clash of Government Structure and Racial Politics Richmond, VA v. J. A. Croson.” Race and Society, Vol. 1,
No. 1, pp. 77-91.
1998
“Responding to Black Political Interests in the Post-Civil Rights Era: The Substantive Results of Black Political
Incorporation.” Sociological Inquiry, Vol. 68, No. 2, pp. 203-227.
1996
“Choice, Interests, and Black Political Actors: The Dilemmas of Inclusion.” Sociological Forum, Vol. 11, No. 1,
pp. 75-95.
Book Reviews
Forth- The Shock of the News: Media Coverage and the Making of 9/11 by Brian A. Monahan, Critical
coming Sociology.
2002
Talking at Trena’s by Reuben A. Buford May, Social Forces, Vol. 81, No. 2, pp. 678-679.
1999
From Black to Biracial: Transforming Identity Among Americans by Kathleen Odell Korgen, American Journal
of Sociology, Vol. 106, No. 6, pp. 1867-2869.
1992
Affirmative Action and Justice: A Philosophical and Constitutional Inquiry by Michel Rosenfeld, American
Journal of Sociology, Vol. 98, No. 3, pp. 654-655.
Book Manuscript in Progress
Muslim Americans and Identity Negotiations: Caught in the Crosshairs of Terrorism, Government Policies and
the Media
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PRESENTATIONS
Research
2009
Symbolically Muslim: Media, Hijab, and the West.” Presented at the annual meetings of the American
Sociological Association, San Francisco, CA, August.
Invited: Presented at Association of Muslim Social Scientist, Charlottesville, VA, September 2009.
2008
“September 11, 2001 and Religious Pluralism: Shifting the Religious Minority Identity of Muslim Americans.”
Presented at the regional meeting of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists of North America. University
of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, April.
2007
“When Religion Matters: The Impact of 9/11 on Muslim American Identity.” Presented at the annual meeting
of the American Sociological Association, New York, NY, August.
2007
“When Clothing Matters: Identity and Veiling among Muslim American Women.” Presented at the Center for
Humanities at Temple, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, August.
2007
“Representing Hijab: Newspaper Stories and the Meaning of Veiling in Western Nations.” Presented at the
fourth annual International Women’s Conference: Women and Globalization, Temple University, Philadelphia,
PA, April.
Revised Version: Presented at the Association of Muslim Social Scientists, College Park Maryland, October
2007.
2007
“Disrupting Assimilation: Muslim Americans and the War on Terror News Frame.” Presented at annual
meeting of the Eastern Sociological Society, Philadelphia, PA, March.
Revised Version: Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Invited
Panel: Integration of Muslim Minorities in Western Democracies, New York, NY, August 2007.
2006
“Oppositional Frames and the Representation of Muslim Americans in Newspaper Articles: The Impact of
9/11.” Presented at the annual conference of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists, Hartford, CT,
October.
2006
“What a Difference a Day Makes: The Religious Minority Identity of Muslim Americans Before and After
9/11.” Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Sociological Society, Boston, MA, February.
2005
“Complex Inequalities: The Case of Muslim Americans After 9/11.” Presented at the annul meeting of the
Association of Muslim Social Scientists, Philadelphia, PA, October.
2005
“What They Tell the Media: The Construction of Muslim American Identity in Newspaper Articles” Presented
at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Philadelphia, PA, August .
2004
“Sexism, Racism and African American Muslim Women: What Does Wearing Hijab Mean to Them?” Presented
at the annual meeting of the Eastern Sociological Society, New York, NY, February.
2003
“Muslim Americans? Nationality and Race in the Organization of a Community.” Presented at the annual
meetings of the American Sociological Association, Atlanta, GA, August.
2002
“Feminist Standpoints: The Case of African-American Muslim Women.” Presented at the annual meetings of
the Eastern Sociological Society, Boston, MA, March.
2000
“Resisting Oppression: The Mix of Race, Religion, and Gender.” Presented in the Sociology Colloquia Series,
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, April.
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1998
“Socially-Bounded Context and Mediating Discrimination: A Focus on African-American Muslim Women.”
Presented at the annual meetings of the Eastern Sociological Society, Philadelphia, PA, March.
1996
“The Third Phase: Minority Political Incorporation and the Rise of Conservative Coalitions.”
Presented at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association, New York, NY, August.
1995
“The Changing Face of Minority Political Incorporation.” Presented at the annual meetings of the American
Sociological Association, Washington, D.C., August.
“Ideology and Black Political Leaders: A Question for Community Interests.” Presented at the annual meetings
of the American Sociological Association, New York, NY, August.
1992
1992
“Political Ideology and Policy: The Case of Black Elected Officials.” Presented at the meetings of the Race,
Ethnicity, and Urban Poverty Workshop, University of Chicago, April.
1991
“Black Political Elites and Community Power: An Overview of Richmond, Virginia.” Presented at the Center for
Urban Affairs and Policy Research, Northwestern University, December.
Curriculum Development
2003
“Disciplinary Electronic Portfolios Organized Around Student Competencies.” Panel presentation at Towson
University, Lilly-East Conference, Towson, MD, April.
2003
“Curricular Reform in the College of Liberal Arts: Revitalizing the Majors.” Panel presentation at AAC&U
Network for Academic Renewal Conference, Philadelphia, PA, February.
2003
“Teaching Circles and Curriculum Reform.” Panel Presentation at Temple University, Teaching and Learning
Conference, January.
2002
“A Sociology of Self: Digital Portfolios and Competencies.” Presented at Temple University, College of Liberal
Arts Curriculum Conference, May.
Discussant/ Guest Lecture/ Panel Participant
2010
“Women in Islam.” Guest Lecture, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, March.
2010
“Islam in the Media: Separating Fact from Fiction.” Panel Participant, Islam in America Movement Symposium,
Philadelphia, PA, February.
2008
“Why We Do Not Openly Discuss Slavery in the United States.” Guest Lecture, Lucien Crump Gallery Art
Education Resource Center, Inc, Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the American Abolition of the
Transatlantic Slave Trade. Philadelphia, PA, October.
2008
“Stand-Up: The New Politics of Racial Uplift.” Discussant/ Moderator, Panel 1, A Public Philosophy
Symposium, Temple University, May.
2007
“Legislating Inequality.” Guest Lecture, Department of Culture and Communication, Drexel University, July.
2007
“Education and Identity among South Asian American Teenagers.” Discussant, New Roots in Americans
Sacred Ground: Religion, Race, Ethnicity in Indian America by Khyati Joshi. Conference on South Asia, Rutgers
University, November.
2006
“Racism, Prejudice, and Discrimination: Transformations and Connections.” Guest Lecture, Servant
Leadership School, Professional Development Series: “From Roots to Fruits: Examining Internalized
Oppression and Addressing Institutional Change.” Washington, D.C., September.
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2002
“Reflections on Color: Looking Through the Prism of Race and Gender.” Discussant/ Moderator, Yellowman
Symposium Series. Play preformed at the Wilma Theater, Philadelphia, PA, March.
2000
“Race and Gender in the Classroom.” Panel Participant, Teaching Matters Conference, Temple University,
February.
1999
“Why Torture Yourself: Tenure and the Value of an Academic Career.” Guest Lecture, Ronald McNair Facultyin-Training Program, Temple University, June.
1999
“Race and Racism in the Classroom.” Panel Participant, Teaching Matters Conference, Temple University,
March.
Research Grants
Faculty Fellow, Center for the Humanities, Temple University, 2006-2007
Mid-Career Fellowship, College of Liberal Arts, Temple University, 2005-2006
Study Leave, College of Liberal Arts, Temple University, Spring 2005
Grant-in-Aid of Research, Temple University, 2004-2005
Research Incentive Grant, College of Liberal Arts, Temple University, Summer 2003
Faculty Summer Research Fellowship, Temple University, Summer 1997
Department of Sociology Research Funding, Temple University, Summer 1997; Summer 2003; Winter Break 2004, Fall
2005, Fall 2009, Spring 2010
Service
Professional
Manuscript Referee: Sociological Inquiry, Social Problems, Social Forces, British Journal of Sociology, American
Journal of Sociology, Critical Sociology, Western Journal of Black Studies, Roxbury Publishers, Routledge
Regular Session Organizer, Race and Ethnicity: American Sociological Association, Annual Meetings, August 2007.
Association of Muslim Social Scientists: Board of Directors, Member-at-Large, 2007-2010
University
Faculty Senate, 1993-1994
Research and Study Leave Committee, College of Liberal Arts Fall, 2002
General Education Course Development Committee, History and the Structure of Race in America, 2005-2006
Department
Candidacy Research Paper, 2005-2006
Chair Canvassing Committee, 1997-1998
Colloquia Committee, 1999-2001
Executive Committee, 1994-1996, 1998-2002
Faculty Recruitment Committee, 1992, 1996, 2003 [Subcommittee Chair, Race], 2004 [Department of Religion]
Graduate Admissions Committee, 1997-1998
Graduate Committee, 2004-2005, 2005-2006
Newsletter Editor, 2008-2009
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Petitions Committee, 1996-1997, 2009-2010
Preliminary Exam Committees,
Gender, 1998-1999, 2001-2002 [Chair], 2004-2004 [Chair]
Race, 1998-1999 [Chair], 2002-2003 [Chair], 2003-2004 [Chair], 2005-2006, 2009-2010 [Chair], 2010-2011
[Chair]
Urban, 2000-2001, 2006-2007
Promotions Committee, 1996-1997, 2003-2004
Undergraduate Advisor, 1993-1994, 1994-1995, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 2002-2003, 2003-2004
Undergraduate Committee, 1992-1993, 1993-1994, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999,
1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2010-2011
Undergraduate Director, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002
Student
Graduate
Dissertation Chair
Sahar Sadeghi, ABD “Global Politics and National Narratives: Iranians in the United States and Germany”
Corinne Castro, ABD “Negotiating Academic Governance: Women of Color University Faculty and
Professionalism”
Tamara Nopper, Ph.D. “Beyond the Bootstrap: How Korean Banks and U.S. Government Institutions
Contribute to Korean Immigrant Entrepreneurship in the United States” (2008)
Dissertation Committee
Mary Gane
Amy Steinbugler
Caitlin Howley
Sandra Jones
Adriana Bohm
Mary Stricker
Cynthia Glover
Tiffenia Archie
Jodi Merriday [African American Studies]
Suraiya It [Religion]
Candidacy Research Paper Advisor
Sahar Sadeghi
Corinne Castro
Tamara Nopper
Richard Smith
Vincent Louis
Social and Behavioral Science Research Opportunity Program
Corinne Castro (2010)
Sahar Sadeghi (2010)
Independent Study
Sahar Sadeghi
Tamara Nopper
Jeffery Snowell
Undergraduate
Diamond Scholar Program
Research
Wajeeha Chouhary, “Inter-Office Islam: The Muslim Woman at Work” (Summer/Fall 2009)
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Peer Teacher
Geneve Dupuy (Fall 2010)
Nicole Finnie (Fall 2006)
Carl Gunlefinger (Spring 2006)
Ronald McNair Faculty in Training Program
Ana Elisa Echevarria (Summer 1999)
Inshirah Abdul-Aziz (Summer 1999)
Bedilia Richards (Summer 1997)
Temple University Undergraduate Research Forum
Wajeeha Chouhary (Spring 2010)
Nicole Johnson (Spring 2002)
Independent Study
Adab Ibrahim
Wajeeha Chouhary
Nicole Johnson
Candace Martin
Professional Memberships
American Sociological Association
Eastern Sociological Society
Sociologists for Women in Society
Association of Muslim Social Scientists
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