To our School of Nursing community,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Associate Professor Jennifer James, PhD, MS, MSW, as the school’s next PhD Sociology Program Director, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
An alumna of the PhD Sociology program and a faculty member in our school since 2020, Jen's work spans community-engaged research, a dedication to health equity, and a deep commitment to educating and mentoring the next generation of health professionals and social scientists. Her research examines structural racism and health across the life course, with her current work focusing on experiences of health and illness for people who are or have been incarcerated.
Jen has been recognized nationally for her work, receiving prestigious awards from the American Sociological Association and the Greenwall Faculty Scholar distinction, in addition to NIH and foundation grants supporting her research. Jen holds leadership roles in several national organizations including the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities. At UCSF, she leads efforts to advance UCSF’s commitment to anti-racism in research, serving on the UCSF Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Opportunity and Impact (AVC-ROI) Oversight Committee and leading the Anti-Discrimination Research consult service.
Jen is an inspirational educator and mentor. She currently serves on dissertation committees for 11 School of Nursing students across nursing and sociology – five as committee chair – and mentors junior scholars at UCSF and nationally. She is a faculty member in UCSF's K Scholars program and the UCSF Center for Aging in Diverse Communities. Jen was recently appointed the Nursing Alumni and Mary Harms Endowed Chair in recognition of her exceptional contributions to teaching, research, and service.
As both a faculty member and alumna of the PhD Sociology program, Jen brings a distinctive perspective that uniquely positions her for the role of program director. I look forward to the vision and leadership she will bring to this position.
I want to thank Professor Kristen Harknett, PhD, who capably led as the PhD Sociology Program Director since 2022 and also served as chair of this search committee. My gratitude also goes to committee members Associate Professor Leslie Dubbin, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor Heather Leutwyler, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Professor Janet Shim, PhD.
Please join me in congratulating Jen and supporting her in this new role.
Carol Dawson-Rose PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean and Styles Professor of Nursing
Associate Vice Chancellor, Nursing Affairs