Zachary Palmer, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Zachary Palmer has always been interested in how society shapes people. He found sociology to be a great field to answer big questions like ‘how do power and privilege operate in society?' as well as more idiosyncratic questions like ‘why do some adult men love My Little Pony?' He is always interested in the ‘weird' and the ‘why' and loves to share the joy of sociology with students.

A Conversation with Dr. Palmer

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?

A&M-Commerce is a university that offers a unique learning experience. The campus community is very welcoming and is a place where people from all ages and backgrounds can come together and learn from each other.

What draws you to your discipline?

In Invitation to Sociology, Peter Berger writes that the most important characteristic needed to be a good sociologist is curiosity, describing sociology as an outgrowth of the desire to look inside the windows of other people's houses to find out what is going on inside. While I'm not that nosy, I've definitely always had that sense of curiosity about other people. Many of my research projects begin with me thinking that something is “weird” and wanting to learn more. The great thing about sociology is that it covers such a wide range of topics, it's a field where there really is something for anyone and it's hard to imagine ever getting bored with it.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Sociology, Purdue University, 2019
• M.A., Sociology, Ball State University, 2014
• B.S., Sociology, Truman State University, 2012

Academic Positions

• Associate Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2023-Present
• Graduate Coordinator, Sociology, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2021-Present
• Assistant Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2019-2023

Research Interests

• Gender and masculinities
• Culture media

Professional Organizations

• American Sociological Association
• Sociologists for Women in Society
• Alpha Kappa Delta

Featured Courses

SOC1301 Introduction to Sociology

SOC 312 Sociology of Gender

SOC 316 Marriage and Family

SOC 436 Sociological Theory

Selected Publications

• Palmer, Zachary D. forthcoming. “‘I Don't Like to Separate Myself by Gender': How Women Navigate Hybrid Masculinities in the Brony Community.” Journal of Gender Studies.
• Palmer, Zachary D. 2022. “‘I'm Going to Love and Tolerate the Shit Out of You': Hybrid Masculinities in the Brony Community.” Men and Masculinities 25(1): 87-105.
• Rochford, Elle and Zachary D. Palmer. 2022. “Trans TikTok: Sharing Information and Forming Community” in TikTok Cultures in the United States, ed. Trevor Boffone. Lordon, UK: Routledge.