Brennan J. Miller

Brennan Miller
  • Research Associate
He/him/his

Contact Info

Biography —

Dr. Brennan J. Miller (he/him) is an Associate Research at the University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, and works on the Kansas Strong for Children and Families and Kansas Invests in Families (KinVest) projects. Dr. Miller holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Kent State University. His research focuses on the interplay between unconscious and cognitive processes that reproduce racial inequality within group and organizational interactions. He also has an interest in how organizational practices, such as practices of compassion, influence workers’ health outcomes. He has an interdisciplinary methodological background which includes experimental design, quantitative methods, physiological measurements, and qualitative interviews. Dr. Miller joined KUSSW with a goal to conduct valuable research that strengthens the child welfare systems in Kansas. In particular, he aims to contribute to evaluation and intervention research that improves the lives of racially marginalized youth and promotes positive health outcomes for workers.

Education —

Ph.D., Kent State University

Research —

  • Social Psychology
  • Race and Racism
  • Inequalities
  • Emotions
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Experimental Methods

Selected Publications —

Miller, B. J. & Markowski, K. Forthcoming. Black/Latinx scientist or Black/Latinx and scientist? Multiple identities, threat, and self-esteem among minority STEM students. In Advancing Theory, Measurement, and Research in Identity Theory.

Miller, B. J. & Kalkhoff, W. 2020. Negotiating a non-verified identity: Emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses. In Advances in Group Processes. Vol. 37.

Kalkhoff, W., Melamed D., Pollock J., Miller B.J., Overton J., & Pfeiffer, M. 2020. Cracking the black box: Capturing the role of expectation states in status processes. Social Psychology Quarterly 83(1):26-48.

Miller, B.J., Kalkhoff, W., Pollock, J., and Pfeiffer, M. 2019. Persistent identity threats: Emotional and neurological responses. Social Psychology Quarterly 82(1): 98-111. *Best Student Article Award winner for the Section on Evolution, Biology and Society.

Fisk, S.R., Miller B.J., & Overton, J. 2017. Why social status matters for understanding the interrelationships between testosterone, economic risk-taking, and gender. Sociology Compass, 11(3): e12452.

Kalkhoff, W., Serpe, R.T., Pollock, J., Miller, J.B., & Pfeiffer, M. 2016. Self-motives and the neural processing of identity-relevant feedback: An electroencephalographic study. Advances in Identity Theory and Research, vol. 2., edited by Jan E. Stets and Richard T. Serpe.

Awards & Honors —

Miller, Brennan J. (PI) and Carla Goar (PI). 2020. "How is Status Information Interpreted?" National Science Foundation’s Dissertation Improvement Award. ($16,000).

2020-2021 Kent State University Fellowship

2020 Outstanding Doctoral Student in Sociology, Department of Sociology, Kent State University.