Biography and education
I am originally from Edinburg in the Rio Grande Valley. I received my B.A. in Sociology from Rice University in 2005, my M.A. in Sociology from Texas State University in 2009, and my Ph.D. in Sociology from Washington State University in 2013. I taught at Texas Christian University from 2013-2018. I began teaching at Texas State University in 2018.
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Edwards, Michelle L. Honorarium for Serving as Panel Moderator for 'The Socio/Demographic/Cultural Profiles of Scientists', Toward a Vision of Diversity in Science and Society Symposium, Texas State University, $500. (Funded: 2018). Grant.
- Edwards, Michelle L (Principal). Dissertation Research Grant, Department of Sociology, Washington State University, $500. (Funded: 2012). Grant.
- Edwards, Michelle L (Principal). Travel Grant, Department of Sociology, Washington State University, $250. (Funded: 2012). Grant.
- Edwards, Michelle L (Principal). Registration Grant, Graduate and Professional Student Association, Washington State University, $100. (Funded: 2012). Grant.
- Edwards, Michelle L. Travel Scholarship, Department of Sociology, Washington State University, $475. (Funded: 2011). Grant.

Featured scholarly/creative works
- Edwards, M. L. (2024). Resisting settler colonialism: comments from tribes on NEPA ‘modernization.’ Environmental Sociology, 11(3), 324–338. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/23251042.2024.2427466
- Edwards, M. L., & Edwards, H. (2023). Prison-based Environmental Training Programs: Who Is Being Transformed? Environmental Education Research. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2023.2190523
- Edwards, M. L., & Caden, Z. (2022). Examining Science Communication on Reddit: From an “Assembled” to a “Disassembling” Approach. Public Understanding of Science, 31(4), 473–488.
- Tritsch, K., Mix, K., Edwards, M. L., & Piña Jr., M. (2021). What Makes a Small Farm Successful? A Review of Success Factors, Needs, and Challenges. Journal of Extension, 59(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.59.02.18
- Edwards, M. L., Luna, B., & Edwards, H. (2021). Environmental Injustices in Immigrant Detention: How Absences Are Embedded in the NEPA Process. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, 4(2), 429–450. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/2514848620909734
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Nominee: Presidential Award for Excellence: Teaching (Associate Professor), Nominated by the Department of Sociology. 2024
- Award / Honor Nominee: Presidential Award for Excellence: Teaching (Assistant Professor), Nominated by the Department of Sociology. 2020
- Award / Honor Recipient: 2020 Teaching Award of Honor, Texas State Alumni Association. 2020
- Award / Honor Recipient: Received a "Snap" from a student, National Residence Hall Honorary. 2018
- Award / Honor Recipient: Mitosfsky Innovators Award to the Dillman Research Team, American Association for Public Opinion Research. 2017

Featured service activities
- Other
Sustainability Council
- Chair
Research and Teaching Review
- Member
Student Learning Outcomes Sub-Committee
- Member
Personnel Committee
- Volunteer
It's My Park Day Austin with Austin Parks Foundation
- Reviewer / Referee
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
