MSU Sociology welcomes Alexander Hill as new PhD student

September 5, 2024 - Karessa Weir

MSU Sociology welcomes Alexander Hill as new PhD student 

By Karessa Weir 

As a master’s student, Alexander Hill would read medical sociology journals and take special note of the authors of articles that interested them. One name kept coming up more than others – Dr. stef shuster. 

So when it came time to apply for doctoral programs in medical sociology, Hill’s dream was the chance to learn under shuster, associate professor of Sociology and Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University.  

“MSU was the obvious choice between the faculty and the resources,” Hill said. “I looked at all the medical sociology programs because I knew exactly what I wanted to do and here is where all the leaders were, especially Dr. shuster, Dr. Ning Hsieh and (Sociology Chair) Dr. Carla Pfeffer.” 

Hill is a first-year doctoral student in the Sociology Department at MSU. Their research interests focus on the experiences of trans individuals seeking medical care, including the documentation of queer family narratives, intra community resource exchange, and emerging care networks within trans communities. Alexander earned his B.A. in Sociology from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and his M.A. in Social Science from the University of Chicago. During their prior studies, they trained in qualitative and archival research methodologies while conducting research on food insecurity in Central Florida, and queer young adult experiences. 

In addition to scholarly work, Hill is especially interested in community engaged research and grew up as an activist in their home in central Florida. But since taking a sociology class in high school, this is the field they have known they needed to pursue. 

“This is my field. This is all I want to do,” they said.  

Hill’s dissertation dealt with learning about the needs of trans youth versus what their parents thought they needed as far as medical transitioning, social needs and advocacy. They are also interested in exploring intra-community resources and how people who are trans later assist others as they begin to transition through word of mouth, social media and other “unofficial” sources. Hill wants to find ways that “official” - academic or government entities – can harness that support and ensure all people get the services and support they need as they transition.  

“It is a way to give legitimacy to what has already been working in the community, and also allowing it to become more widespread,” Hill said. 

Hill has been welcomed to the department with open arms from shuster and other medical sociologists. 

“Alex Hill is an exceptionally talented student whose research at the intersection of community engagement, gender, and social medicine will undoubtedly make a mark in the field. I am very excited to work with Alex and am thrilled that they joined the Sociology PhD program at MSU!” shuster said. 

And they are hitting the ground running, presenting their research at the 2nd annual International Trans Studies conference in Chicago only two weeks after joining MSU. 

Hill is among a cohort of five PhD students joining the department this fall, including Autumn Bland, Nicole Bray and Stephanie Winston. 

 

"I'm excited to have this talented cohort begin their PhD journey during MSU Sociology’s centennial anniversary. It bodes very well for our next hundred years,” said MSU Sociology Chair Dr. Carla Pfeffer.