Advising

General information on my approach to advising and mentorship

My cat, StirFry Jones!
  • If you are a Sociology undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Oregon, a student in a related program, or have taken a course with me, the answer is likely yes!

    I'm always interested in learning about students’ research and am glad to offer support across diverse topics and methods. If I believe your project might benefit more from someone else’s expertise, I’ll let you know and can suggest other faculty who may be a stronger fit for your needs.

    Curious about what to expect when working with me? Check out this document on my advising norms and expectations.

  • If you're requesting a new letter of recommendation—meaning I haven’t written for you before, haven’t written recently, or haven’t written about this specific project—please let me know at least three weeks before the deadline. You should also send me your draft application materials no later than two weeks before the deadline. When you do, please include:

    • Your current CV/resume

    • Unofficial transcript (if you're currently taking courses)

    • Relevant coursework, published papers, MA or dissertation chapters (as applicable)

    These materials help me speak accurately about your work and highlight relevant training or achievements. If you would like feedback on your materials, please let me know when you send them.

    If I’ve already written you a letter for a similar application and only minor updates are needed (e.g., a new fellowship or deadline for the same project), then just one week’s notice is sufficient.

  • If you’d like to meet in person or by Zoom, start by checking for available meeting times here. If those times don’t work for you, email me (macc@uoregon.edu) to find an alternative time.

    You’re always welcome to email me questions, updates, and materials for feedback. I may suggest we follow up with a Zoom or in-person meeting, if the question/issue is complicated.

    I typically do not read or respond to emails after 5:00 pm PST or on weekends. If you receive an email from me during those times, please know that I do not expect a response outside of the working hours you’ve set for yourself. If your question/request is time-sensitive, you can indicate that in your email subject line. If my office door is open, it’s also OK to stop by.

  • Most mentoring meetings are scheduled for 30 minutes by default. If you anticipate needing more time, feel free to book two back-to-back time slots or email me to request a longer meeting.

    In general, I’ll rely on you to take the lead in scheduling meetings. If I’m serving as your chair or primary advisor, we can meet weekly or as often as needed. If I’m a committee member or secondary advisor, I’m happy to meet once or twice a month, depending on your needs and the phase of your work. During busier times—such as before exams, milestones, or job/fellowship deadlines—we can meet more frequently.

    At the start and end of each term, I’ll typically invite you for a general check-in. These meetings give us a chance to review what’s on your plate (e.g., coursework, teaching, research projects) and discuss big-picture goals, challenges, and strategies for support.

  • If you’d like feedback on your work (e.g., paper, funding application, research memo, or job market materials), I aim to return comments within two weeks. If you don’t hear back by then, feel free to send a follow-up email!

    You’re always welcome to send me early-stage materials—these don’t need to be polished or finalized. I’m happy to review rough outlines or idea memos, especially as you develop MA papers, dissertations, or publication topics.

    If I’m not your chair or primary advisor, I prefer to review drafts after your main advisor has weighed in. This helps avoid conflicting feedback and ensures a more coherent revision process. In general, I recommend not circulating drafts to your entire committee at once, unless it’s a formal submission. Staggering feedback often makes things more manageable for everyone. When I do review your work, I’ll offer constructive input tailored to your stage and needs, often via track changes.

  • It’s completely natural for your research interests and mentoring needs to evolve during graduate school. If at any point you’d like to change advisors or adjust my role (e.g., from chair to committee member), please don’t hesitate to reach out. My priority is that you have the advising team that best supports your goals.