Song’s scholarly impact is evident in her publications, most notably her book, Justice, Gender, and the Politics of Multiculturalism (Cambridge University Press, 2007). This seminal work earned the prestigious 2008 Ralph Bunche Award from the American Political Science Association, recognizing it as the best book in political science that delves into ethnic and cultural pluralism. In this book, Sarah Song masterfully navigates the complex intersections of justice, gender, and multiculturalism, offering profound insights into contemporary political challenges.
Her second book, Immigration and Democracy (Oxford University Press, 2018), further solidifies Sarah Song’s position as a leading scholar. This book provides a crucial examination of the ethical and political dimensions of immigration in democratic societies. Immigration and Democracy meticulously dissects the historical roots of the plenary power doctrine within U.S. immigration law. Furthermore, Sarah Song rigorously analyzes the normative justifications that underpin the modern state’s authority over immigration matters. The book also directly engages with current and pressing immigration policy debates, making it a vital contribution to the field.
Beyond her books, Sarah Song’s scholarly contributions extend to numerous articles addressing critical topics in democratic theory and law. Her publications explore the boundary problem in democratic theory, the rights of noncitizens within democratic states, and the complexities of immigrant legalization programs and their relationship to the rule of law. Currently, Sarah Song’s research is focused on the ever-relevant topic of freedom of speech. She is particularly interested in the contemporary challenges to free speech posed by the proliferation of misinformation and the persistent problem of hate speech in modern societies.
Born in South Korea, Sarah Song’s personal journey enriches her academic perspective. Immigrating to the United States at the age of six, she experienced the American public education system firsthand, attending K-12 schools across Missouri, Illinois, and New Hampshire. This lived experience informs her scholarly work on immigration and citizenship. Sarah Song’s academic journey includes a B.A. in Social Studies from Harvard College, an M.Phil in Politics from Oxford, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale University, demonstrating her commitment to rigorous interdisciplinary scholarship. Prior to her tenure at Berkeley Law, she served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science at M.I.T., where she was also affiliated faculty in Philosophy and Women’s & Gender Studies. Her academic excellence has been recognized through prestigious fellowships from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, formerly known as the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.
From 2015 to 2020, Sarah Song took on the leadership role of director of the Kadish Center for Morality, Law, and Public Affairs at Berkeley Law. In this capacity, she played a key role in fostering intellectual exchange and collaboration, particularly through the Workshop in Law, Philosophy, and Political Theory, co-sponsored by the Philosophy and Political Science Departments. Sarah Song’s directorship further highlights her commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and advancing critical scholarship in law and philosophy.
Sarah Song’s multifaceted career as a scholar, professor, and leader underscores her significant contributions to the fields of legal and political philosophy. Her insightful work on justice, democracy, immigration, and free speech makes her an invaluable asset to Berkeley Law and the broader academic community.
