Hoban, Thomas J.

Thomas J. Hoban IV, professor and extension specialist, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, received a Ph.D. in Sociology from Iowa State University in 1986. He has two masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin, one in journalism and one in water resource management. He has a B.S. in biology from the University of Illinois. His research and educational programs have covered the full spectrum of the food industry "from farm to table." In addition to his instructional and research work at North Carolina State University, Hoban has served as a consultant to business, government, and trade associations. His work has focused on how people and organizations manage and respond to change.

Thomas J. Hoban IV is professor and extension specialist in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at North Carolina State University. Hoban's appointment at NCSU has involved 50 percent research and 50 percent teaching. His teaching has been focused on social movements, social change, and environmental sociology. As an applied sociologist, much of his work has involved working with other university departments, government agencies, and others to improve the assessment of new technologies. His research has examined how new technologies and public policies affect consumers, industry, natural resources, and society. His work has focused on how people understand and respond to controversial changes and environmental issues. He has served as project director for a number of major externally-funded surveys, including: public attitudes about biotechnology; farmers' adoption of management practices; industry adoption of innovation; and public attitudes about the environment.

Hoban joined the faculty of North Carolina State University in 1987 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1991 and to full professor in 1997. Before coming to NCSU, Hoban worked as research assistant/associate, 1982-1986, at Iowa State University; as environmental specialist, 1980-1982, for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Water Quality Section; as project assistant, 1979-1980, for the Wisconsin Board of Soil and Water Conservation; and as a laboratory technician, 1978-1979, for the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene.

Hoban received a Ph.D. in rural sociology from Iowa State University in 1986. He has two masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin, one in agricultural journalism, 1982, and one in water resource management, 1981. He has a B.S. in biology, 1978, from the University of Illinois.