Dr. Michael Bennett is an Associate Professor of Sociology. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses that focus on urban planning, community development, economic and social policy, and race and ethnic issues. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Bennett has served as executive director of the Monsignor John J. Egan Urban Center (EUC) at DePaul University (1997-2008). Dr. Bennett received his BA from Kent State University, and his MA and PhD from The University of Chicago. Dr. Bennett is an applied sociologist whose research interests and practice modalities include strategies for addressing poverty, asset-based approaches to community development, and identifying avenues for empowering grassroots organizations both in the U.S. and in Africa. His practice in the field of planning and development has taken place within the context of an urban bank, non-profit community development finance institutions, and faith-based organizations. Dr. Bennett's work has been published in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues, Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity, and Society, and Economic Development Quarterly, as well as edited books. He has been able to combine his interests in human dynamics with his finance experience, and is the executive producer of four independent films, "Strange As Angels," "Contradictions of The Heart," "Breaking News, and Research: The Musical."
Research Interests
- Urban Planning
- Community Development
- Economic and Social Policy
- Race and Ethnic Issues
Publications
"The Chicago Bid to Host the 2016 Olympics: Much Promised, Little Learned" with Larry Bennett, Stephen Alexander and Joseph Persky, in Neoliberal Chicago Roberta Garner, Larry Bennett and Euan Hague (Eds.) Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press 2016.
Economic Development in American Cities: The Pursuit of An Equity Agenda, co-edited with Robert P. Giloth. State University of New York Press, 2007.
*The New Chicago: A Social and Cultural Analysis, co-edited with John Koval, Larry Bennett, Fassil Demisse and Roberta Garner. Temple University Press, 2006.