FACULTY FOCUS: DR. LAURA O'TOOLE

Dr. Laura O’Toole, Associate Professor and Department Chair for Sociology here at Roanoke College began her study of Sociology at The University of Delaware. Dr. O’Toole received her B.A. in Sociology with a minor in History. Before returning to graduate school, Dr. O’Toole said she “worked in the non-profit sector for several years, then returned to grad school after getting married and somewhat settled in Wilmington, Delaware” to complete her M.A. and Ph.D.

Dr. O’Toole is finishing her first four year term as Chair of the Sociology department at the end of this academic year. Before joining the faculty at Roanoke College, Dr. O’Toole taught at Guilford College (NC) for eight years where she chaired the department of Sociology and Anthropology for five years. During her time at Guilford College, she received the Lucretia Mott Award for dedication and commitment to Women’s Studies (2001) and student-nominated awards for Outstanding Academic and Personal Guidance (2001) and Outstanding Achievement by a Faculty Member (1999). She is an active member of the American Sociological Association, the Eastern Sociological Society, and the Sociologist for Women in Society.

Her primary areas of teaching and scholarly interest are the Sociology of Sex and Gender, Work and Organizations, and Social Inequality. She has been teaching Sociology of Sex and Gender since graduate school where she developed an evolving course in Gender Violence and “Sex”. Although Dr. O’Toole has taught numerous other courses, these specialized areas within the Sociology of Gender are the courses she teaches and enjoys the most.

Dr. O’Toole has co-authored two books, Social Problems with Frank Scarpitti and Margaret L. Andersen (Longman, 1997) and Gender Violence: Interdisciplinary Perspectives with Jessica R. Schiffman (New York University Press, 1997.) She has published several articles and book reviews, presents regularly at scholarly meetings, and frequently reviews manuscripts for various publishers and the journal Gender and Society. Her current research focuses on the work experiences of licensed massage therapists.