Speakers
Dr. Thompson received her B.A. with a Dual Major in English and Sociology from Wellesley College, her joint M.A. in Sociology and Women’s Studies from Brandeis University, and her Ph.D. in Sociology also from Brandeis University. Her doctoral research addressed the role of the wedding planner in the American wedding industry. Other wedding related topics she has studied include the emotion work of wedding work, the role of the male wedding coordinator, minority participation in the wedding industry, and comparisons between the wedding and funeral industries. Her book, Unveiled: Secrets of the Wedding Industry, is a guide for brides and grooms on how to avoid being scammed as they plan their wedding. She has written articles for national publications including Consumer Digest and US News & World Report, is a public speaker, and has appeared on NPR and other radio programs around the country regarding wedding industry issues such as wedding costs and the blood diamond trade. Dr. Thompson has taught at Texas Christian University in the Department of Sociology since 1998 and teaches Introduction to Sociology; Social Problems; the Sociology of Food; Marriage and Family; and the Sociology of Weddings. Dr. Thompson is the co-author of the Introductory Sociology textbook SociologicalYou.