Biography
Dr. Vanessa Parks is the Director of the Center for Population Studies and Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Mississippi. Her work explores the ways that social and natural environments are related to health. Dr. Parks’ recent projects have focused on migration intentions, evacuation after hurricanes, housing costs, caregiving, and alcohol use after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodologically, she designs and analyzes multimode surveys, and her work is designed to be of use to policymakers and community-based organizations.
Dr. Parks is an adjunct behavioral and social scientist at RAND, where she worked prior to the University of Mississippi. She also co-leads the Consortium for Resilient Gulf Communities, an interdisciplinary effort to strengthen Gulf Coast communities in the face of public health, environmental, and economic challenges.
Education
Ph.D. Sociology, Louisiana State University (2019)