Karl Monsma is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, where he is also a permanent professor in the Postgraduate Program in Sociology and a contributing professor of the Postgraduate Program in Rural Development. He has experience in the areas of historical sociology, social theory and research methods, addressing mainly the following topics: immigration, racism, ethnic identities and violence. He holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology - University of California Santa Cruz (1981), a Master's degree in Sociology - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (1985) and a Ph.D. in Sociology - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (1992). He did postdoctoral studies in Sociology at USP (1996) and in Social Anthropology at the National Museum / UFRJ (2004). He has been Professor of Sociology at Northwestern University, USA (1992-1997), Adjunct Professor of Sociology at the Federal University of São Carlos (1997-2005) and Professor of History and Sociology at the Vale do Rio dos Sinos University (Unisinos) (2005-2010). He was also a visiting professor at USP, UFRGS, UFPel, the National University of the Center of the Province of Buenos Aires and the Public University of Cape Verde.