Published on October 27, 2026 by Gunnar Sadowey  
Sociology Conference 2026

Students and faculty from Samford University's Department of Geography and Sociology showcased their research at the annual Mid-South Sociological Association conference, held Oct. 14-17 in Huntsville, Alabama. The conference brought together scholars and students to share research examining a range of social issues.

Three Samford senior sociology majors presented their research, with David Weed earning first place in the conference's undergraduate paper competition for his paper, "Political and Religious Predictors of Perceived Mental Health Stigma."

Fellow senior sociology major Westin Baker presented "How Do Race and Non-Religiosity Influence Individuals' Attitudes Toward Capital Punishment?" while Kaela Keith, also a senior sociology major, presented "Race and Self-Reported Health: The Role of Resources in Racial Health Disparities."

Samford faculty members also contributed to the conference's research discussions. Jennifer Rahn and Theresa Davidson presented "Native American News Media & Representations of Climate Change," while Abolade Oladimeji presented "Understanding Sleep Satisfaction Among Women Caregivers After the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Depression, Social Support, and Caregiving Burden."

Davidson, a professor of sociology, emphasized the value of these experiences in helping students grow academically and professionally while representing Samford's commitment to undergraduate research.

"First and foremost, it benefits the students because they get to share their research, meet other sociology students and faculty, and begin to develop networks that could provide them with benefits as they go forward in their educational and career journeys," Davidson said. "Attendance at conferences like this benefits our department and Samford as a whole because attendees can see the investment that Samford makes in our students and the intellectual returns on those investments."

Davidson also emphasized the importance of introducing emerging scholars to the discipline, noting that young researchers will help shape the future of sociology and the social sciences through their energy and curiosity to better understand social life.

The department's participation highlighted the breadth of research conducted by Samford students and faculty, as well as opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in scholarly discussions and present their work beyond the classroom.

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Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,522 students from 46 states, Puerto Rico and 12 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.