New Faculty Join Humanities and Social Sciences

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences welcomes three new tenure-track and one tenured faculty to its ranks this year. Their scholarship and research interests range from Chinese socio-cultural history to moral and social development in inter-group contexts and refugee and immigrant communities. Meet these stellar scholars, researchers and teachers, and join us for our newly combined welcome back + faculty awards reception in Caldwell Lounge from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 4, 2018.   

Xiaolin Duan joins the Department of History as an assistant professor in the area of Chinese history.

• Ph.D., History, University of Washington, 2014
• M.A., History, University of Washington, 2010
• B.A., History and Sociology, Peking University, 2008

Duan studies socio-cultural history in medieval and early modern China, particularly urban history, popular religion, and visual/material culture. Her research explores how sightseeing activities influenced the way people interacted with and conceptualized the natural environment in middle period China. Her work investigates the historical moment during which the natural landscape moved from the periphery of the practice of power to become a critical element in the construction of cultural identity. She is also interested in the silk exchange between China and Mexico in the early modern trans-Pacific trade. Her teaching focuses on the globalization of China and Asia, material culture, popular religion and environmental history. Prior to joining NC State, Duan taught at Elon University as an assistant professor.

Kathryn Grossman joins the Department of Sociology and Anthropology as assistant professor of anthropology in the areas of archaeology and zooarchaeology.  

• Ph.D., Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago, 2013
• M.A., Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago, 2005
• B.A., Archaeology, Tufts University, 2003

Grossman has expertise in the complex societies of Southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean. Her current research focuses on resistance to state-making, the biographies of early cities and human/non-human animal relationships in early complex societies. She directs the Makounta-Voules Archaeological Project in Cyprus, and has been a senior staff member on archaeological projects across Syria, Cyprus, Egypt and Iraq. She previously taught at MIT and at Bradley University.  

Kelly Lynn Mulvey has joined the Department of Psychology as an assistant professor in the area of Lifespan Developmental Psychology.

• Ph.D., Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, 2013
• M.A., Teaching, Duke University, 2003
• B.A., English, Duke University, 2001

Mulvey is a developmental scientist who examines social-cognitive development, in particular moral and social development in inter-group contexts. She conducts research examining theory of mind, social exclusion and group dynamics, including when children challenge peer group norms. Her work focuses on inter-group contexts and examines the influence of children’s bias, prejudice and stereotypes on their inter-group relations. Her work also examines broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in the STEM fields and understanding stereotypes regarding who can and should be a scientist. Her research is funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Justice.

Maura Nsonwu joins the Department of Social Work as a professor where she will teach in the area of Human Behavior in the Social Environment and conduct research on refugee resettlement, healthcare for displaced people, human trafficking and immigration.

• Ph.D., Education, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, 2008
• MSW, Master of Social Work, University of South Carolina, 1990
• BSW, Bachelor of Social Work, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, 1986

Nsonwu is an educator, researcher and clinician whose areas of specialization include refugee resettlement, human trafficking, health care, child welfare and social work education. Supported by external funding, her scholarship includes numerous peer reviewed publications, including the textbook, Human Trafficking: Applying Research, Theory and Case Studies (2017, Sage). Nsonwu specializes in qualitative research methodology that utilizes community engagement, collaboration and empowerment when working with diverse refugee and immigrant communities. She has conducted collaborative research with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She serves as president of the Association of Immigration and Refugee Service Providers, a national organization of professionals working with immigrants, refugees and displaced people.