Kendra Murphy

Associate Professor of Teaching & Undergraduate Advisor

Phone (901) 678-4555 Email kendra.murphy@memphis.edu Fax (901) 678-2525 Office Clement Hall, Room 229A Office Hours Call for Hours

About

 

Dr. Kendra Murphy is an Associate Professor of Teaching Coordinator and the Undergraduate Advisor. She earned her BA in Sociology at the University of Central Arkansas in 2003, her MA in Sociology at the University of Memphis in 2007 and her DLS with foci in health, statistics and communication at the University of Memphis in 2025. She began teaching as a full-time instructor at the University in 2007 and in 2012, she became the undergraduate advisor for the Sociology department.

 Dr. Murphy teaches undergraduate courses both in-person and online, including Introduction to Sociology, Social Statistics, Intermediate Statistics, Methods of Social Research and Sociological Theory. She is an interdisciplinary scholar with areas of research in statistical literacy, health literacy and emotions. Dr. Murphy was the recipient of the 2013 College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching award, the 2014 Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award, the 2016 College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Award for Advising Excellence, the 2017 W. Russell Smith Award for Excellence in Teaching, a 2019 University Top Teaching Award and the 2023 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

 Dr. Murphy's teaching is focused on helping students develop critical thinking and writing skills that they can use throughout their lives. She is best known for her creative lectures on social deviance. Whether by discussing statistics or bringing furries into the classroom, Dr. Murphy is committed to helping all of her students in developing their sociological imaginations.