Bachelor of Arts - Economics and Government
University of Texas at Austin
Professional Preparation
Master of Science - Business Administration
Boston University
Boston University
Master of Science - Applied Sociology
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas at Dallas
PhD - Public Policy and Political Economy
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas at Dallas
Research Areas
Virtual Exchange/COIL
Virtual Exchange (VE)/Collaborative Online International Learning is an innovative pedagogy that allows students to use technology to engage with their peers at universities around the globe. This type of collaborative international learning takes place within two or more courses taught by professors in different countries and might span from a few weeks to an entire semester.Publications
Inclusive Alternatives to Study Abroad 2021 - Chapter
Virtual Exchange: Expanding Access to Global Learning 2021 - Chapter
Lessons in Sobriety: An exploratory study of graduate outcomes at a recovery high school 2011 - Peer-reviewed journal
Awards
Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award - University of Texas System [2021]
Carol Cirulli Lanham Online Teaching Award - School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences [2020]
EPPS Outstanding Teaching Award for Online Teaching - School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences [2019]
President's Teaching Excellence Award in Online/Blended Intruction - University of Texas at Dallas [2018]
Nominee, Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring, - University of Texas at Dallas [2016]
EPPS Outstanding Faculty Award - School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences [2011]
Appointments
Fellow
UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers [2022–Present]
As the only system-wide university teaching academy in the U.S., the Academy is emblematic of The University of Texas System's deep commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive learning experiences for all students enrolled at its nine academic institutions. Members of the Academy are a diverse group of talented scholars with sustained distinction as teachers and mentors. They are deliberate in growing and sharing their teaching expertise across their campuses.
UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers [2022–Present]
As the only system-wide university teaching academy in the U.S., the Academy is emblematic of The University of Texas System's deep commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive learning experiences for all students enrolled at its nine academic institutions. Members of the Academy are a diverse group of talented scholars with sustained distinction as teachers and mentors. They are deliberate in growing and sharing their teaching expertise across their campuses.
Fulbright Specialist
U.S. State Department [2021–2025]
Part of the larger Fulbright Program, this program pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with host institutions abroad to share their expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn about other cultures while building capacity at their overseas host institutions. I was selected to be part of the Fulbright Specialist roster because of my expertise in online teaching and COIL/Virtual Exchange. In Fall 2025, I will to work on a project called “Co-operative Virtual Learning Across Borders” at Deakin University in Australia.
U.S. State Department [2021–2025]
Part of the larger Fulbright Program, this program pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with host institutions abroad to share their expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn about other cultures while building capacity at their overseas host institutions. I was selected to be part of the Fulbright Specialist roster because of my expertise in online teaching and COIL/Virtual Exchange. In Fall 2025, I will to work on a project called “Co-operative Virtual Learning Across Borders” at Deakin University in Australia.
International Education Taskforce
University of Texas at Dallas [2020–2023]
University of Texas at Dallas [2020–2023]
Committee on Distance Learning
University of Texas at Dallas [2019–Present]
I was appointed chair of the committee in 2022.
University of Texas at Dallas [2019–Present]
I was appointed chair of the committee in 2022.
Committee on Student Scholarships
University of Texas at Dallas [2012–2022]
University of Texas at Dallas [2012–2022]
Distance Education Coordinator
University of Texas at Dallas [2012–2022]
University of Texas at Dallas [2012–2022]
Presentations
Keynote Speaker at the SHOUT4HE Conference
2021/04 Shout4HE is a transnational effort, consisting of several European universities, aimed at developing an open e-platform for sharing effective higher education resources.A Learner-Centered Approach to the Freshman Seminar
2012/08 Presentation at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Reinventing Instruction and Learning Conference, Austin, Texas - This presentation illustrated how Multimedia Presentations, blogs, Twitter, website content, YouTube videos and other technologies were utilized to increase student engagement in the freshman seminar I teach at UT Dallas.Additional Information
SOC 1306 - Contemporary Social Issues - Paris - Summer 2022 and 2023 and Toulouse 2024
This course, taught in Paris, France in Summer 2022, 2023, and in Toulouse in 2024 examines problems related to immigration, crime and social control, the rise of the far right, work and the economy, youth and aging, and urban life. Students also will explore areas where the French are known to excel such as health care, the environment, and education.SOC 3321 - Deviance - 2011-Present
How would you define deviance? Answers to this question vary widely since behaviors that are considered deviant in one society are sometimes seen as perfectly normal in others. In this course, we will focus on sociological theories of deviance. Topics will range from violent crimes and prostitution to cybersex and pandemic behavior.SOC 4396 - Sociology of Religion: The Vatican - 2018-2019
Throughout history, and in every society in the world, people have practiced some form of religion. In this course, we explore the role that global religions play in social control, cohesion and change. We then will apply sociological concepts to the study of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican in particular. The course includes a trip to Rome and Vatican City.News Articles
Virtual Exchange Program Extending UTD Educators’ Global Reach
UT Dallas was selected to be part of the Norwegian Panorama VE/Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Partnerships Initiative, sponsored by the Norwegian government to foster international cooperation in research and higher education. UT Dallas is one of seven U.S. universities participating in the partnerships, each of which is composed of a Norwegian university and one or more Japanese or U.S. institutions.EPPS Educator Named Among Top UT System Teachers with Regents’ Award
Carol Cirulli Lanham, the assistant dean of outreach and engagement in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) and associate professor of instruction in sociology was honored for her extraordinary dedication to teaching. She was one of 14 recipients of the UT System’s 2021 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award (ROTA). The honorees represent 10 of the 14 UT System academic and health institutions and will be recognized virtually during a Board of Regents meeting in November.
New Initiative Launches To Bolster Study Abroad Programs
The University of Texas at Dallas will pilot a new international education program designed to increase the number of students who can participate in study abroad programs by dramatically decreasing the out-of-pocket costs for students while still providing them with a rich and instructive experience.One of the four-week pilot programs, French Society: Sociological Perspectives, begins July 10 and will be co-taught in Paris by EPPS faculty members Dr. Richard K. Scotch, program head of sociology and of criminology and criminal justice, and Dr. Carol Cirulli Lanham, associate professor of instruction in sociology.
Course Offers Virtual Exchange, Look at Deviant Behavior During Pandemic
Students in Dr. Carol Cirulli Lanham’s deviance course at The University of Texas at Dallas last fall turned these COVID-19 behavioral observations into a class project with the help of their peers in France through a virtual learning partnership.
Course Makes Learning a Two-Way Street for Students, Homeless Teens
At 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Dr. Carol Cirulli Lanham’s sociology class meets at a drop-in center for homeless students at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas. The class is one of a growing number of community-engaged learning courses at UT Dallas that give students the opportunity to explore new topics while serving as teachers and mentors. The program is funded through a grant from The University of Texas System.