Assistant Professor from University of Illinois, Springfield, United States
Dr. Neeraj Rajasekar is an esteemed Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Illinois-Springfield, with a distinguished academic and research background in the sociology of race, political sociology, and discourse analysis. His work critically examines diversity discourse, racial attitudes, and policy implications in the United States. With a PhD in Sociology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Dr. Rajasekar has dedicated his career to exploring the intersections of race, politics, and social discourse. His contributions to academia include numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and invited presentations at national and international conferences. He has received multiple research grants and fellowships, reflecting his dedication to advancing sociological knowledge. Beyond research, Dr. Rajasekar is an experienced educator, having taught at multiple institutions across various topics, including race and ethnicity, media, research methods, and political sociology. His expertise in qualitative and quantitative methodologies enables him to engage students in critical sociological inquiry. Through his research and teaching, he aims to bridge academic insights with public discourse, ensuring that sociological knowledge informs broader societal discussions on race, policy, and social justice.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Neeraj Rajasekar earned his PhD in Sociology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he conducted extensive research on racial discourse and diversity narratives in the United States. His dissertation, titled “‘Diversity’ as a Racialized Keyword: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Diversity Discourse, Racial, and Rearticulation in the USA,” explored how diversity rhetoric shapes racial attitudes and policies. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed a Master’s in Sociology at the same institution. Dr. Rajasekar’s academic journey began with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Minnesota, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. His educational background has provided him with a strong theoretical and methodological foundation in sociological inquiry, particularly in the areas of racial inequality, discourse analysis, and political attitudes. Throughout his academic training, he worked closely with distinguished scholars and contributed to multiple research projects, enhancing his expertise in survey analysis, content analysis, and mixed-methods research. His rigorous academic training and interdisciplinary approach have positioned him as a leading scholar in race, diversity, and social change.
Professional Experience
Dr. Neeraj Rajasekar has held various academic positions, each contributing to his development as a researcher and educator. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Illinois-Springfield, where he teaches courses on research methods, social problems, and race and ethnicity. Prior to this role, he was an Assistant Professor at Luther College and the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he taught courses on crime and deviance, political sociology, and media studies. His teaching portfolio reflects his commitment to equipping students with critical analytical skills in sociology. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Rajasekar has contributed extensively to scholarly research through his affiliations with major sociological research projects, including the American Mosaic Project. He has also served as a research assistant and fellow on studies examining racial ideology, diversity discourses, and public opinion on racial policies. His professional journey demonstrates his dedication to both advancing sociological research and fostering an engaging learning environment for students.
Research Interests
Dr. Rajasekar’s research interests are centered on the sociology of race, critical race theory, diversity discourse, and racial attitudes. He explores how racial ideology is shaped by language, media representation, and public policy, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. His work frequently examines the intersections between race and political ideology, particularly in the context of American society. He has a keen interest in how racial narratives influence policy debates on immigration, assimilation, and diversity initiatives in higher education and the workplace. Additionally, his research extends to political sociology, where he investigates public attitudes toward racial equity policies, conservative rearticulations of diversity, and discourse analysis within media and political platforms. Through his scholarship, Dr. Rajasekar aims to provide a deeper understanding of how racial discourse evolves and its impact on social and political structures. His interdisciplinary approach bridges sociological theory with real-world policy discussions, contributing to a more comprehensive analysis of racial inequality and public opinion.
Research Skills
Dr. Rajasekar possesses a robust methodological skill set that spans both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. He is proficient in survey analysis, content analysis, discourse analysis, and mixed-methods research, allowing him to examine sociological phenomena from multiple perspectives. His expertise includes statistical analysis using software such as SPSS, Stata, and R, as well as qualitative data coding through NVivo and ATLAS.ti. He has conducted large-scale national surveys on racial attitudes, analyzed media discourse on diversity, and employed computational text analysis to examine social and political narratives. His ability to integrate different research methodologies enables him to produce nuanced and comprehensive sociological studies. Additionally, his experience in grant writing and research project management has led to successful funding opportunities from institutions such as the National Endowment for the Humanities. His methodological rigor and analytical expertise make him a leading figure in the study of racial discourse and diversity in contemporary sociology.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Rajasekar has been the recipient of numerous awards and research grants, reflecting his contributions to sociology. He was awarded the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Spotlight on the Humanities Grant for his work in developing a public liberal arts curriculum. Additionally, he received the prestigious Public Voices Fellowship from The OpEd Project, recognizing his efforts in public scholarship and sociological communication. At the University of Illinois-Springfield, he secured a Degree and Program Assessment Grant to enhance sociology curriculum development. Prior to his faculty positions, he was a recipient of the Koebrick Endowment for New Faculty at Luther College and multiple graduate fellowships at the University of Minnesota. His research has been recognized with funding from the American Mosaic Project and the Sociology ABD RA Program Grant. These awards underscore his impact in advancing sociological knowledge, fostering public engagement, and contributing to higher education. His recognition within academic and public spheres highlights his dedication to bridging research with societal discussions on race, diversity, and policy.
Conclusion
Dr. Neeraj Rajasekar is a distinguished sociologist whose research and teaching focus on race, diversity discourse, and public policy. Through his academic career, he has made significant contributions to understanding racial ideology, political sociology, and discourse analysis. His methodological expertise, combined with his interdisciplinary research approach, has enabled him to engage in impactful sociological inquiries that inform public debates on diversity and racial equity. As a committed educator, he has influenced students across multiple institutions, fostering critical thinking and sociological awareness. His work has earned him prestigious awards and fellowships, reflecting his academic excellence and public engagement. By integrating scholarship with public discourse, Dr. Rajasekar continues to shape contemporary discussions on race, policy, and social justice. His contributions to sociology not only advance academic knowledge but also inform policy and public understanding of diversity and racial discourse in American society.
Publications Top Notes
- Title: The language of “diversity” or “DEI”? Exploring job titles of diversity professionals in US institutions of higher education
- Authors:
- N. Rajasekar, Neeraj
- E. Gunderson, Evan
- A. Wilcox, Annika
- Year: 2025