About

Dr. Michael Spivey, Ph.D. completed his B.S. and MA degrees in Sociology at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He earned the Ph.D. in Sociology at York University, Toronto, Canada in 1998. Dr. Spivey's areas of specialization are Qualitative Methods, Ethnographic Research, Contemporary Indigenous Studies, Critical and Interpretive Theories. While studying at York University, Dr. Spivey conducted Applied Ethnography for Ontario's Government to collect information to inform Modernization Programs among nine Ojibwa Aboriginal Tribes in Northen Ontario. He published an article on the topic. Dr. Spivey conducted Ethnographic Research with the Pee-Dee Tribe in South Carolina from 1993 to 1994 with a focus on the Tribe's State Recognition efforts. The Pee-Dee gained State Recognition in 2006. Dr. Spivey published a book on the topic in 2000 entitled Native Americans in the Carolina Borderlands: A Critical Ethnography by Carolinas Press. Dr. Spivey's book was chosen by the Qualitative Faculty Group at The University of Georgia as Best Ethnographic Read of the Year. He joined the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice in 1999-2000 academic year. He has carried out a number of applied studies at UNCP and the surrounding community, including the Department of Labor's Youth Opportunity Grant Program in Robeson County. He also developed Study Abroad Programs and took groups of UNCP students on four tours in Europe. Before his academic career Dr. Spivey was a professional guitarist, singer, and signed songwriter in Nashville, Tenn. from 1976 to 1982.