Patricia Hill Collins

"When white men control the knowledge validation process, both political criteria (contextual credibility and evaluation of knowledge claims) can work to suppress Black feminist thought. Therefore, Black women are more likely to choose an alternative epistemology for assessing knowledge claims, one using different standards that are consistent with Black women's criteria for substantiated knowledge and with our criteria for methodology adequacy" (Collins, 1990).

Education

Brandeis University Ph.D. 1984 Sociology.

Harvard University M.A.T. 1970 Social Science Education.

Brandeis University A.B. 1969 Sociology, cum laude with honors.

Current Position

Department of African American Studies, Women's Studies Graduate Program, Professor, University of Cincinnati 1994-present; Associate Professor, 1987-1994; Chair, 1999-2002; Acting Chair, 1987-88; Assistant Professor, 1982-87. Charles Phelps Taft Distinguished Professor of Sociology, 1996- present.

A social theorist, Dr. Collins' research and scholarship have focused on gender, race and social class, specifically related to African American women. Sociology of knowledge, organizational theory, social stratification and work and occupations have also been some of her sociological specialties. Her work, Black Feminist Thought, has been a significant contribution to the movement.

From Black Power to Hip Hop: Essays on Racism, Nationalism, and Feminism.

Handbook of Race and Ethnic Studies.

Black Sexual Politics: African Americans, Gender, and the New Racism. Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment.

Fighting Words: Black Women and the Search for JusticeRace, Class, and Gender: An Anthology