Dr. Taylor's work and expertise focus on social problems: Inequality, such as race, gender or ethnicity; deviance, such as criminal or inappropriate sexual behavior; institutional, encompassing family, economic or political problems; and globalization, such as population and environmental problems, war and terrorism.

Recently, Taylor's research focuses on the deviant behaviors of cutting, piercing and self-mutilation, studying individuals ranging from young adolescents to adults.

"The purpose of my research in this area is to demonstrate common patterns and expose myths about these behaviors," he says.

Taylor covers these behaviors and more - including the cause and effect of school violence in a recently published textbook, "Social Problems," with colleague Alex Thio, utilizing his findings to demonstrate real-world experiences in the classroom.

Much of Taylor's work is based on the social concepts of masculinity the perceptions and stereotypes - which initially led him to delve into the culture of gun owners and their relationships with weapons. And, most recently, to the culture of rodeo cowboys and bull riders - even participating in a professional bull-riding school in California for field research.

Taylor has authored "Self-Mutilation and Body Modification," a chapter in Deviance Today; "Cutting, Piercing and Self-Mutilation," a chapter in Handbook of Deviant Behavior; and "It's Not What You Think It Is: Masculine Identity and Stigma Management Among Skydivers and Gun Collectors," in the Journal of Contemporary Ethnography."

He is also the author of the 2012 book, "Deviant Behavior (11th ed)" with Alex Thio and Martin D. Schwartz and the 2009 book, "Gun Shows, Gun Collectors and the Story of the Gun," which explores the relationship between gun and gun owner and the stereotypes of masculine symbolism. The second edition of his book "American Gun Culture," is scheduled for summer 2013 release.

Taylor is also the co-founder and board member of The Reynoldsburg Conversion Community School (RCCS) Everest Academy, a central Ohio-based charter school for high school dropouts, funded through the Ohio Department of Education.

Taylor's Expertise at a Glance:

• Causes and effects of deviant behavior
• Cutting, piercing and self-mutilation
• Masculinity in gun and rodeo cultures
• Racial, gender, economic and age inequality
• Urbanization, population, war and terrorism

Taylor's Media Placements include:

• The Boston Globe
• The Huffington Post
• Japan Today
• The Korean Standard
• The Rutland Herald
• Inagist
• WOUB radio
• WERS radio
• WCLT radio
  
• Daily Jeffersonian
• Zanesville Times-Recorder