Ann Morning

I’m a sociologist of race and ethnicity at New York University and I focus on two research areas. First, I study racial and ethnic classification, meaning the ways in which people are categorized (or identify themselves) by race or ethnicity–for example, on census forms. Second, I explore the conceptualization of descent-based difference–that is, people’s beliefs about the differences between groups they think of as races, ethnicities, castes, tribes, and so on.

As of September 2023, I serve as the Arts & Science Divisional Dean for Social Sciences and Vice Dean for Global and Strategic Initiatives at NYU.

I’m also: a native New Yorker; the mother of two wonderful daughters; a proud alumna of the United Nations International School; an Italian citizen; a former U.S. Foreign Service officer; a sometime genealogist, and a diehard reader.