David Rier

Dovid Rier directs the Graduate Program in Sociology and Anthropology at Bar Ilan, and he was previously the director of the Program in Sociology of Health. He received his advanced education at Columbia University: a B.A. in history, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociomedical Sciences. His dissertation, written under the supervision of Professors Harriet Zuckerman and Peter Messeri, was entitled "Publication and Controversy in Epidemiology: Investigators' Publication Decisions." His research focusses broadly on medical sociology, public health and sociology of science. More specifically, he is presently investigating the role of narrative in the experience of critical illness, internet support groups for victims of disease and women's health in the ultra-orthodox community. Among his many awards, Dr. Rier received in 2001 the prestigious Eliot Freidson Outstanding Publication Award from the American Sociological Association for his aclaimed essay, "The Missing Voice of the Critically Ill".

Dr. Rier teaches about illness in its social context, with an emphasis on AIDS, as well as other topics in medical sociology.