UMass Sociology Professor to Study AI’s Impact on Trucking Industry with Russell Sage Foundation Fellowship

Laurel Smith-Doerr, a professor of sociology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been awarded a prestigious visiting scholar fellowship from the Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) for the 2026-27 academic year. Her research will focus on the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and the American workforce, specifically within the long-haul trucking sector.

Research Focus: Power Dynamics and AI in Trucking

Smith-Doerr’s project is an inductive, qualitative study examining the power dynamics that shape who benefits from the integration of artificial intelligence in the workplace. She will leverage the U.S. Long-haul trucking industry as a case study to understand how truck drivers perceive and respond to the idea that AI could replace human decision-making [1]. Her work aims to uncover how AI deployment impacts inequality and the future of work in the United States.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Smith-Doerr’s research draws upon two key areas of social science: organizational studies of safety and risk in complex systems – including the concept of “normal accidents” – and science and technology studies focused on future imaginaries [2]. This interdisciplinary lens will help her to better understand the complex interplay between technology, work, and social equity.

Building on Existing Research

This project builds upon an existing interdisciplinary project at UMass, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and led by Shannon Roberts, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering. That project examines how human drivers are actively shaping the future of work in trucking as AI technologies grow more prevalent [2].

Russell Sage Foundation Fellowship

The RSF Visiting Scholar program is a highly competitive residential fellowship program for social scientists [1]. Smith-Doerr is one of 19 scholars selected for the 2026-27 cohort, all of whom will pursue research aligned with RSF’s mission to strengthen the social sciences and improve social and living conditions [3]. She credits support from collaborators at UMass and the Institute for Social Science Research for helping her secure the fellowship [2].

Broader Research Cohort

Other scholars in the 2026-27 RSF cohort will explore a range of critical social issues, including residential segregation, climate change, criminal justice reform, disability benefits, and public attitudes toward economic policies [2].