Applied anthropology, conflict transformation, race and gender, spirituality and culture, undergraduate pedagogy in anthropology, sociology, criminal justice.

• Ph.D. Anthropology American University, Washington, D.C.
  “African-American Women’s Activism and Ghetto Formation in a Washington, DC Neighborhood”
• B.A. Cultural Studies Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
• Certificate in Criminal Justice, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

• Intro to Cultural Anthropology
• Women and Men in American Society
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Senior Thesis
• Crime, Justice and Society
• Principles of Sociology

Alongside her work as a professor, Dr. Paris is an applied anthropologist who uses anthropological insights and methods to benefit interdisciplinary endeavors. She contributes to criminal justice through teaching, advising and volunteer service with Compassion Prison Project and Just Detention International. She contributes to sociology and anthropology as an ancillary writer for major publishing companies, including open access resources. She also contributes to the Anthropology Career Readiness Commission.

She has published six books and dozens of articles, across genres and for diverse audiences. Recent books include Introducing Cultural Anthropology (2nd ed. co-authored with Brian Howell, Baker Academic, 2019); Teach From the Heart: A Pedagogy of Love (Cascade, 2017); The Good News About Conflict (Cascade, 2017).

She serves the Christian church in a variety of ways. She serves with The Colossian Forum, convening and supporting religious leaders in taking up divisive issues as opportunities for spiritual growth. She serves on editorial boards for the Journal of Sociology and Christianity, On Knowing Humanity, the Christian Scholars Review blog and the Journal for Contemplative Inquiry. She is an active member of her local United Methodist church.