We are proud to announce that Professor Celeste Watkins-Hayes has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the country’s most prestigious honorary societies and independent research centers. This honor is a testament to her significant contributions to the fields of sociology and public policy. 

U-M Sociology Professor Watkins-Hayes, who holds multiple esteemed titles such as the Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy and the Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy, is renowned for her interdisciplinary research at the intersection of sociology, African American studies, and public policy. Her work focuses on HIV/AIDS; urban poverty; and racial, class, and gender inequality. Watkins-Hayes’s acclaimed book, Remaking a Life: How Women Living with HIV/AIDS Confront Inequality, analyzes the HIV epidemic's impact on women and how they achieve social wellbeing in the face of systemic disadvantages. "Deeply researched, sensitive to the voices of her participants, and policy relevant, Remaking a Life is an exemplary piece of work," said Elizabeth A. Armstrong, Chair of the U-M Department of Sociology.

Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is extended to leaders who excel across a diverse array of fields. Watkins-Hayes is among the select group of nearly 250 distinguished scholars chosen for the 2025 class, joining the ranks of just nine other faculty members in the U-M Sociology department history.

“These new members’ accomplishments speak volumes about the human capacity for discovery, creativity, leadership and persistence,” academy President Laurie Patton said. “They are a stellar testament to the power of knowledge to broaden our horizons and deepen our understanding.”

The U-M Department of Sociology sends its heartfelt congratulations to Professor Watkins-Hayes for this incredible honor, and we look forward to her continuous innovation in the fields of sociology and public policy.

Learn more about Professor Watkins-Hayes’s career and work here. More information about the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is available here.