Research Interests: Race and Ethnic Relations; Race and Immigration; Social Stratification; Discrimination; Inequality; Social Demography; Social Policy; Cultural Sociology; American Politics

Victoria Asbury is a Doctoral Student in Sociology. Born in Miami, Florida, and raised in Inglewood, Corona, and Victorville, California, Victoria went northward to Stanford as a first-generation college student in 2007. Four years later, she graduated with a B.A. in African & African American Studies with honors from Stanford University as well as a M.A. in Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies from Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2011. After college, Victoria worked at NBC Universal for several years, including a year and a half at MSNBC’s “Melissa Harris-Perry” show, where she booked over 300 guests and produced dozens of segments focused on inequality and marginalized communities.

Through a PhD in sociology, Victoria Asbury is interested in 1) identifying differences in access to material (e.g., employment, public aid) and non-material (e.g., cultural and symbolic capital) resources as well as recognition (e.g., perceived legitimacy of need or worthiness for aid) among different strata within the United States ethno-racial hierarchy in light of demographic trends; 2) examining how individuals, communities, policymakers, and institutions respond to the needs of these strata; and 3) identifying the group characteristics that influence differential responses to need.

Previous Degrees:
BA, African & African American Studies, Stanford University, 2011
MA, Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies, Stanford Graduate School of Education, 2011