Darnell Hunt, a renowned scholar of race, media and culture, chair of sociology and longtime leader of the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA, has been selected as the new dean of social sciences in the UCLA College, effective July 1. The announcement was made today by Scott Waugh, UCLA executive vice chancellor and provost.
“I have no doubt that Darnell Hunt will be an exemplary leader of the social sciences at UCLA,” Waugh said. “His reputation and experience as a leader, scholar and champion of social justice will serve him well in this new role.”
Hunt will succeed Interim Dean Laura Gómez, who has led the division since July 2016. She will be returning to her teaching and research duties in the UCLA School of Law.
Hunt, a professor of sociology and African-American studies, is the lead author of the Bunche Center’s Hollywood Diversity Report, an annual series that examines the relationship between diversity and profit in the entertainment industry. The fourth annual report was released last February.
"My experiences as a researcher convince me that the social sciences are on the firmest footing when we are able to effectively communicate the value they add to a society in need of answers to important questions,” Hunt said. “I believe this is particularly true for the social sciences at a public institution like UCLA, in a state as diverse as California, and in a political moment like the present. I’m truly excited to have the opportunity to lead a division composed of such outstanding departments, programs and centers and the enterprising people who power them.”
Hunt has been a faculty member since 2001. Prior to coming to UCLA, he was chair of the sociology faculty at the University of Southern California. He has written and edited several publications, including “Screening the Los Angeles 'Riots': Race, Seeing, and Resistance” and “Black Los Angeles: American Dreams and Racial Realities.”
Hunt received an A.B. in journalism from the University of Southern California, an M.B.A. from Georgetown University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in sociology from UCLA. He is a member of the American Sociological Association and the Association of Black Sociologists. He has served as a member of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations Academic Advisory Board and as UCLA’s representative to the Association of American Colleges and Universities. At UCLA, he has served on a number of campus committees and was the recipient of the UCLA Academic Senate’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award in 2011.
