Ryan Gibson

Visiting Assistant Professor, Sociology

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Have you ever thought about how your identity affects your everyday social interactions, and how those interactions, in turn, shape what you believe is fair, who you trust, and who you grant power?

Ryan Gibson, PhD, Emory University, is an award-winning educator (Faculty Excellence in Teaching, UNH, 2026), nationally recognized sociologist, and the founder and director of the Social Technologies and AI Research (STAR) Lab. His research is published in peer-reviewed journals such as Social Forces, Social Psychology Quarterly, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Social Sciences, and the American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Dr. Gibson’s research explores how racial, ethnic, and political identities influence core aspects of social cooperation, such as perceptions of justice, trust, and authority, by studying everyday interactions. Using sophisticated experimental and survey techniques, Dr. Gibson uncovers patterns of identity, social interaction, and cooperation that yield key sociological insights across domains ranging from business to healthcare to AI. This includes studies exploring how black and white workers respond differently to unfair leadership practices or how political identities affect someone’s susceptibility to AI misinformation.

More than anything, Dr. Gibson deeply loves teaching, connecting with students, and sharing his passion for the “sociological adventure”. He’s experienced in teaching a wide range of social science courses, including Introductory Sociology, Research Methods, Race and Ethnicity, Social Psychology, Sociology of Justice, and Sociological Theory. His efforts earned him the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of New Hampshire in 2026.

In his spare time, Dr. Gibson enjoys listening to K-pop, keeping up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, spending time with his wife, Kathy, and his daughter, Celeste, and walking his corgi, Roque!

Honors and Awards

  • Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award for the College of Liberal Arts (University of New Hampshire)
  • “AI-Human Collaboration in Flood Management” Collaborative Research Excellence (CoRE) Grant (University of New Hampshire)
  • CHHS Research Support Initiative Grant (University of New Hampshire).

Education

  • Ph.D., Emory University
  • M.A., Emory University
  • B.A., Kennesaw State University

Publications

  • Gibson, Ryan, Karen A. Hegtvedt, Cathryn Johnson, and Kate Hawks. 2026. "Comparing Sources of Instrumental and Relational Support: Motivating Workers for the Job and Beyond." Social Sciences 15(2):118. doi:10.3390/socsci15020118.
  • Hegtvedt, Karen A. and Ryan Gibson. 2025. "Justice." Pp. 411–435 in Handbook of Social Psychology, Vol. 1: Micro Perspective, 3rd ed., edited by J. E. Stets, K. A. Hegtvedt, and L. Doan. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-93042-3_24.
  • Hawks, Kate, Cathryn Johnson, Karen A. Hegtvedt, and Ryan Gibson. 2026. "The Bases of Propriety: Instrumental, Relational, Moral, and Collective." Social Forces. doi:10.1093/sf/soag004.
  • Tomar, Nikhil, Ryan Gibson, Kathryne Brewer, and Nicholas Mian. 2025. "Intersectional Stigma and Occupational Engagement among Racialized Higher Education Students: A Qualitative Study." The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 79(2).
  • Brewer, Kathryne, Ryan Gibson, Nikhil Tomar, Micki Washburn, Natalia Giraldo-Santiago, Luis R Hostos-Torres, and Robin E Gearing. 2024. “Why Culture and Context Matter? Examining Differences in Stigma and Social Distance between Latino Individuals in The United States and Mexico.” Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10.1007/s10903-023-01550-w
  • Hawks, Kate, Hegtvedt, K. A., Gibson, R., Johnson, C., & Zion, J. 2023. “Pathways to Legitimacy for Black and White Authorities: Impressions of Competence and Warmth.” Social Psychology Quarterly, 01902725231162068.
  • Gibson, Ryan. 2022. "Does the Perception of Discrimination Impact Asian American Boundaries? An Analysis of Group Threat and Closure Ideology." Ethnic and Racial Studies 45(12):2362-89.

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