Harry Perlstadt, professor emeritus of sociology, received the American Sociological Association's 2014 Distinguished Career Award for the Practice of Sociology.
The annual award honors outstanding contributions to sociological practice. The award recognizes work that has facilitated or served as a model for the work of others, significantly advanced the utility of one or more specialty areas in sociology; or been honored or widely recognized outside the discipline for its impact, particularly in advancing human welfare.
A long-time sociology faculty member at MSU, Perlstadt has held joint appointments in the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, Institute for Children, Youth and Families and Office of Medical Education, Research and Development. He also served as director of the program in bioethics, humanities and society.
Harry Perlstadt is a founder and leader of applied sociology. He conducted applied evaluation research projects for the World Health Organization, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Michigan Department of Community Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Perlstadt has written on sociological practice, research ethics and sociology’s history. He helped found the Commission on Applied and Clinical Sociology, chaired the ASA Sociological Practice Section and co-chaired the American Public Health Association’s Joint Policy Committee. He volunteered with the American Lung Association since 1986 and is currently on their national board. He held a Fulbright lectureship on American Health Policy and Politics at Semmelweis University, Institute of Public Health in Budapest, Hungary.