Robert L. Peralta, Ph.D.

Robert L. Peralta, Ph.D.

Title: Professor, Director of the Center for Conflict Management
Dept/Program: Sociology
Office: Olin Hall 260
Phone: 330-972-6915
Email: rp32@uakron.edu
Curriculum Vitae: Download in PDF format

Biography

Robert L. Peralta, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology & Criminology, University of Akron (UA)

Dr. Robert L. Peralta is a Full Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Akron, where he has served since 2004. He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Delaware in 2002 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2001-2002). He is also the Director of the Center for Conflict Management at UA.  With over 40 peer reviewed publications, Dr. Peralta has established himself as a pioneering researcher who has fundamentally transformed our understanding of health inequity through innovative theoretical and methodological approaches.

Revolutionary Theoretical Framework
Dr. Peralta's most significant contribution lies in his development of a novel intersectional framework that disentangles biological sex from gender orientation to understand health behaviors. His research goal was to disassociate gender identity from sex classification (male versus female position) and analyze how those two factors of identity impact how much people drink and how that could lead to violence. This groundbreaking approach moved beyond traditional binary conceptualizations by utilizing instruments like the Bem Sex Role Inventory to measure masculinity and femininity as continuous variables, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of how gender socialization impacts health outcomes across diverse populations.

Methodological Innovation in Health Disparities Research
His innovative research explores gender orientation's role - beyond binary sex categories - in health outcomes, producing multiple peer-reviewed publications on the relationships between gendered traits and behavioral outcomes such as non-medical prescription drug abuse, heavy episodic drinking, and aggressive behavior, Dr. Peralta's methodological creativity is exemplified in his multi-dimensional approach that combines rigorous quantitative analysis with qualitative community-engaged research methods, enabling him to capture both the structural and experiential dimensions of health inequity.

Transformative Impact on Understanding Health Disparities
Dr. Peralta has been awarded four Faculty Research Grants from the University of Akron and was selected to be a Fellow in the National Hispanic Science Network (NHSN) R25 Early Career Mentoring Program in 2012. Via his involvement in the R25 program and collaboration with Michigan State faculty, he received two subcontracts from NIDA to research gender identity and health behavior as well as the association between sexual identity and alcohol use disorder.  He collected his own survey data to understand the association between gender identity and health risk behavior, and he researched alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among sexual minorities using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health dataset. His work revealed critical insights into how race and gender disparities in alcohol use are in part due to the impact of gender and race on deviance categorization fundamentally challenging existing paradigms in substance abuse research.

Community-Engaged Research Leadership
Dr. Peralta's work in the past two years is based on a mixed method community-engaged project in Midwestern city, which focuses on the effects of policing on the city's minoritized communities.  This research focused on the impact on health and well-being of city residents who experienced direct and indirect contact with the police.  The work was carried out in collaboration with community organizations. His interdisciplinary and multi-ethnic research team found that policing experiences increased the probability of community members reporting depression, anxiety and substance abuse behavior via survey analysis.  His qualitative findings document the process by which policing impacts health and well-being for minoritized communities as well as how resilience strategies buffer against harmful police practices.  This approach demonstrates his commitment to developing innovative research methodologies that center community voices and address real-world health inequity through participatory approaches.

Sustained Impact and Recognition
His scholarly impact is evidenced by over 2,500 citations reflecting the widespread influence of his theoretical and methodological innovations across biomedical, social science, and behavioral research fields. His work continues to shape how researchers understand the complex intersections of identity, social structure, and health outcomes in marginalized communities. In 2025, he was awarded the Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship Award from the University of Akron’s EX[L] Center.  In 2025, Dr. Peralta was elected chair of the Drugs and Society Section of the American Sociological Association. 

Research

External Sponsored Research Support

Robert L. Peralta. Funded. 2018. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Sexual identity, sexual attraction and ethnicity as risk factors for drug use? A multi-level analyses of nationally representative data.” NIDA R25 parent grant (R25DA030310) with Michigan State University. Total Project Costs $23,000. (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Robert L. Peralta.  Not funded.  2014. “Masculine Gender Socialization’s Role in Heavy Episodic Drinking, Physical Violence, and Risky Sexual Behavior among College Men and Women” Risk, Prevention, and Health Behavior IRG Special Emphasis Panel [ZRG1 RPHB-R (80) A], PA-13-313: Academic Research Enhancement Award (Parent R15), National Institutes of Health. (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Robert L. Peralta.  Funded.  2013-2014. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “The Social Patterning of Alcohol/Other Drug Use, HIV, and Violence Risk: An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Gender.”  NIDA R25 parent grant (R25DA030310_01A1); Under subcontract with Michigan State University. Total Award: $12,510.  (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Internal Sponsored Research Support

Robert L. Peralta, Juan Xi, Janette Dill, & Jennifer Stanley.  Funded.  2018 University of Akron EX[L] Center Faculty-Driven Initiative Application for Research and Scholarship Funding: “The UASIS Restoration Project (The University of Akron Student Innovation Symposium).”  Proposal: $5,600 Ultimately funded at $7,000 through EXL, Honors, CHP, CBA, CAST, A&S, and Engineering. (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Robert l. Peralta.  Funded. 2018. “Perceptions and experiences of health care and interpersonal violence among female former inmates: A qualitative study.” Faculty Research Grant (FRG) # 1846: The University of Akron, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs $10,000 (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Robert L. Peralta.  Not Funded.  2013. “The Social Patterning of Alcohol/Other Drug Use, HIV, and Violence Risk: An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Gender” Seed Funding Award (SFA) Application Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Akron.

Robert L. Peralta.  Not Funded.  2012. “The Social Patterning of Alcohol /Other Drug Abuse and HIV Risk: An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Gender (as Opposed to Sex)” Faculty Research Grant: The University of Akron, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Robert L. Peralta. Funded. 2010. “Unraveling the Embodied Meaning of Crime and Deviance Categorization: A Qualitative Study of Attributions Toward and Characterizations of Discredited Behavior and Identities.” Faculty Research Grant (FRG) # 1735: The University of Akron, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs $10,000 (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Robert L. Peralta.  Funded.  2007. “Alcohol Use among College Youth: The Impact of Race and Gender” FRG #1667: The University of Akron, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs $8000 (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Robert L. Peralta.  Funded. 2005. “Alcohol-Related Intimate Partner Violence within High Risk Populations: Implications for Health Disparity Research” FRG #1613: The University of Akron, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs $8000 (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Robert L. Peralta.  Funded. 2000. “Domestic Violence: Prevalence in a Primary Care Setting” University of Wisconsin-Madison, Departmental of Family Medicine $2000 (R. L. Peralta, Principal Investigator).

Research Projects

His research team, composed of Ph.D. and MA graduate and undergraduate students, is currently working on projects which include heavy episodic drinking among college students and its association with masculine gender orientation, suicidal behavior and gender orientation, college student interpersonal violence and the role of masculinity, masculinity and alcohol-related weight control behavior (known in the media as ‘drunkorexia’), the impact of ethno-racial identity on substance use behavior and HIV risk behavior, and the nature and origin of stigma attribution toward marginalized communities. 

Current Research interests include:

  • health and health care during and after prison; former female inmate, health, and health care; health and health care in prisoner reentry
  • understanding gendered antecedents and correlates of violence and delinquency, substance use and abuse, health behavior;
  • studying the intersections of health, health behavior, crime perpetration and victimization
  • evidence based/data-informed public health and criminal justice application;
  • understanding and explaining gender and ethno-racial health disparities in sexual risk behavior, substance use, crime, and violence;
  • college student health and well-being
  • instrumentation and screening tool development

Dr. Peralta has been awarded four Faculty Research Grants from the University of Akron:  “Perceptions and experiences of health care and interpersonal violence among female former inmates: A qualitative study.”(Faculty Research Grant (FRG) # 1846); “Unraveling the Embodied Meaning of Crime and Deviance Categorization: A Qualitative Study of Attributions Toward and Characterizations of Discredited Behavior and Identities.”  (FRG) # 1735); “Alcohol Use among College Youth: The Impact of Race and Gender.” (FRG #1667); “Alcohol-Related Intimate Partner Violence within High Risk Populations: Implications for Health Disparity Research” (FRG #1613).

In 2012, he was selected to be a Fellow in the National Hispanic Science Network (NHSN) R25 Early Career Mentoring Program and has been the recipient of a number of research travel awards including a NHSN R25 Travel Award to Attend the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse meetings in San Diego and the College on Problems of Drug Dependence conference in Palm Springs, CA in 2012.   In 2005 he was inducted into the National Hispanic Science Network (NHSN) on Drug Abuse as a Research Scientist member of the NHSN.

Some of his publications appear at: Violence and Victims, Violence Against Women, The Journal of Health and Social Behavior; The Journal of Drug Issues; Sex Roles; The Journal of Men’s Studies; The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice; Contemporary Drug Problems, Substance Use and Misuse, Gender Issues, The Journal of Ethnicity and Substance Abuse, Sociology Compass, and Deviant Behavior.

Awards 

2019 University of Akron Interdisciplinary Symposium Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award April

2016 Outstanding Leadership in Undergraduate Education Award presented by the Department of Sociology, The University of Akron 

2015 Nominee for the Faculty Mentor of the Year Award presented at The11th Annual UA Student Innovation Symposium (UASIS)

2014 NHSN R25 Travel Award to Attend the College on Problems of Drug Dependence conference.  San Juan, Puerto Rico

2014 NHSN R25 Travel Award to Attend the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse meetings in El Paso, TX 

2014 Outstanding Faculty Mentoring Award. Presented by Graduate Students of the Alpha Kappa Delta chapter, Department of Sociology, The University of Akron 

2013 NHSN R25 Travel Award to Attend the College on Problems of Drug Dependence conference.  San Diego, CA. June

2013 Associate Membership in the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD)

2013 Outstanding Faculty Mentoring Award. Presented by Graduate Students of the Alpha Kappa Delta chapter, Department of Sociology, The University of Akron

Publications

Select Peer Review Publications

(*current or former graduate student)

  • Robert L. Peralta. “Thinking Sociologically about Sources of Obesity in the United States” 2003** Gender Issues 21(3): 5-16. (**Accepted in 2004, appeared in ’05 with a publication date of ’03) (Lead Article). Reprinted in Kathleen A. Tiemann, Ralph B. McNeal, Jr., Betsy Lucal, & Morten G. Ender (eds.) The Intersections Collection: Pearson Custom Sociology. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.

Reprints of Published Works in Book Chapters

Robert Peralta. “Alcohol allows you to not be yourself: Toward a structured understanding of alcohol use and gender difference among gay, lesbian and heterosexual youth” 2014. Reprinted In The American Drug Scene: Readings in a Global Context by James Inciardi & Karen McElrath (Oxford, 7th edition) [Reprint].

Robert L. Peralta. “College Alcohol Use and the Embodiment of Hegemonic Masculinity among European American Men.” 2012. Reprinted In Drugs and the American Dream by Patti Adler, Peter Adler, & Patrick O’Brien (eds.) Pp. 152-160; Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-0-470-67027-9. (Modified Reprint of “College Alcohol Use and the Embodiment of Hegemonic Masculinity among European American Men.” Sex Roles 56: 741-756).

Robert L. Peralta. "Hey, Don't Blame Me... Blame the Booze: 2010. In Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, and Addrain Conyers (eds.), Reprinted in Readings in Deviant Behavior. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (Modified Reprint of ““Alcohol Allows You to Not be Yourself:” Toward a Structured Understanding of Alcohol Use and Gender Difference among Gay, Lesbian and Heterosexual Youth.” Journal of Drug Issues 38: 373-400).

Original Invited Published Chapter

Robert L. Peralta.  “Race and the Culture of College Drinking: An Analysis of White Privilege on a College Campus” 2005.  Pp. 127-141 in Cocktails & Dreams: An Interpretive Perspective on Substance Use edited by W. R. Palacios.  New Jersey, Prentice-Hall -Reprinted in Kathleen A. Tiemann, Ralph B. McNeal, Jr., Betsy Lucal, and Morten G. Ender (eds.) The Intersections Collection: Pearson Custom Sociology.  Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.

Education

  • Ph.D. Sociology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 2002
  • M.A. Sociology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 1998
  • B.A. Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1996

Courses

3850 100 Introduction to Sociology 
3850 320 Social Inequalities (Lecture or WWW)
3850 330 Criminology (Lecture or WWW)
3850 360 Social Effects of Crime in Media (Lecture or WWW)
3850 433 Sociology of Deviant Behavior (Lecture)
3850 495 Field Internship (Field Experience)
3850 663 Deviance (Graduate Seminar)
3850 666 Sociology of Corrections (Graduate Seminar)
3850 753 Special Topic: Violence and Victims (Graduate Seminar)
3850 753 Special Topic: Social Organization: Race and Crime (Graduate Seminar)