Research Interests
Population healthMedical sociologyBiodemographySocial stratificationSociology of gender, race, ethnicitySub-Saharan AfricaAging and the life course
Opportunities
Work Study Positions Available: No
Grant Funded Positions Available: No
Course-Credit Research Opportunities Available: No
Volunteer Research Positions Available: No
Biography
Aliza D. Richman is a sociologist and demographer interested in social disparities in health and well-being, biodemography, sub-Saharan Africa, and the environment. She received her doctorate in Sociology and Demography from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master's of Public Health from Northwestern University. Dr. Richman brings a unique and interdisciplinary lens to her teachings and scholarship framing her research as a demographer and sociologist with public health leanings. She joined the faculty at West Chester University as an Assistant Professor of Sociology in 2014.
Dr. Richman's teaching puts into practice the notion that there is congruence between the learning process and field of scientific inquiry, with both areas helping inform the other. She strives to promote critical thinking, content mastery, communication skills, and a basic understanding of sociological research methods and data through the integration of scholarship. As a scholar, Dr. Richman is continually acquiring knowledge and refining her ways of thinking. Through teaching, she hopes to encourage her students to do the same.
Dr. Richman enriches our campus community with several course offerings including SOC 361: Sociology of Medicine, SOC 364: Sociology of Aging, and SOC 245: Environmental Sociology, a brand new course to WCU created by Dr. Richman (fulfills the General Education Behavioral and Social Science Distributive requirement). Further, Dr. Richman developed WCU in Ghana, a month-long study abroad program in Ghana. For more information on studying abroad in Ghana, please see the 'WCU in Ghana' tab below.
