Kathleen Sexsmith, Ph.D.
- Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology
- Email kjs95@psu.edu
- PDF Curriculum Vitae
Areas of Expertise
- Farm labor
- Illegality
- Gender and Migration
- International Development
- Voluntary Sustainability Initiatives in Agriculture
- Gender and Sustainable Agriculture
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Global Service-Learning
Education
- PhD, Development Sociology, Cornell University (2017)
- MPhil, Development Studies, University of Oxford (2008)
- B.A., Economics, University of Manitoba (2005)
Courses
- Gender and International Development (CED/WMNST 420W)
- Community Development: Concepts and Practice (CED 152)
- Development Issues in the Global Context (CED 230)
- Community-engaged Learning with PA Farmworkers (CED 497)
- Qualitative Research Methods (RSOC 514)
- Gender and Agricultural Development (RSOC 597)
Research Interests
My research program looks broadly at gender and rural development, with both domestic and international areas of focus. In the U.S., I study how gender, legal status, and geographical isolation shape the living and working conditions of the Latin-American workforce in agricultural industries. I examine workplace safety and health, access to health care, housing, employment conditions, participation in sustainable agriculture, and other facets of immigrant farmworkers' well-being. My international research examines the gender dynamics of sustainable agriculture initiatives, including voluntary certifications, responsible investment, and climate-smart agricultural programming with a focus on Central America.
Outreach Interests
My work has a community outreach and advocacy focus, although I do not have a formal extension appointment. Here at Penn State, I continue to build partnerships with outreach and advocacy organizations that support under-served populations in agriculture.