Department of Sociology and Criminology

TEACHING

I teach an award-winning course called Knowing Right from Wrong. The course enrolls 700+ students. It promotes ethical development and critical thinking using morally challenging topics. Students are encouraged to share their ideas honestly, respectfully, and courageously, and to keep an open mind as their classmates share theirs. Teaching this course is one of the great joys of my professional life.

RESEARCH

I study morality, public opinion, racial attitudes, crime, social control, criminal justice, stigmatization, and patriotism. My past research focused on the relationship between mental disorder and violence, communities and crime, and violence risk assessment. I’ve authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles in high-quality outlets and have received awards for my research.

I have a new book out with colleagues John Iceland and Ilana Redstone called Why We Disagree about Inequality: Social Justice v. Social Order. In it we show how two clashing worldviews – one emphasizing Social Justice and another Social Order – are preventing Americans from solving their most pressing social problems.

PUBLIC WRITING / PODCASTS

• Can We Agree to Disagree? An Interview with Dr. John Iceland and Dr. Eric Silver. PennStater Magazine: The Magazine of the Penn State Alumni Association.
• Reparations, Fairness and Equality: A Conversation with Dr. Eric Silver and Dr. John Iceland. Getting Out of Your Own Way: A podcast hosted by Ian Allen.
• Preparations, Not Reparations. Silver, E, and Iceland, J. Quillette, 2023.
• The Decline in Race Relations: The Perils of Groupthink and Motivated Reasoning. Iceland, J., and Silver, E. Heterodox: The Blog, 2023.
• Exactly How Much Anti-Whiteness Is There? Silver, E., and Iceland, J. Aporia Magazine, 2023.
• The Conflict at the Heart of Political Disagreements. Iceland, J., and Silver, E. WPSU & Democracy Works, 2023.
• Summary of Why We Disagree About Inequality: Social Justice vs. Social Order. Iceland, J., Silver, E., and Redstone, I. Heterodox: The Blog, 2023.
• Disputes Over DEI Depend on How You Define Fairness. Silver, E., and Iceland, J. Heterodox: The Blog, 2021.

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS

• Founding Member, Heterodox Academy at Penn State (2023-present)
• University Faculty Senate’s Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities (elected, 2024-present)
• Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, College of the Liberal Arts (2013-2017)
• Associate Department Head (2009-2013)
• Director of Graduate Studies (2003-2009)