Kelly Jones

Kelly Jones is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Right-Wing Studies and Jerri-Ann and Gary E. Jacobs endowed doctoral fellow of sociology at the University of California, San Diego. Her research focuses on language, culture, and ideology, specifically how language and metaphor shape individuals' understanding of the state. As a doctoral student, Jones uses machine learning to explore how metaphor creates conceptual frameworks that Supreme Court justices use to reason about complex issues such as abortion and affirmative action. Jones and colleagues are involved in several interdisciplinary projects that investigate the role of metaphor in communication, including the development of MetaNet, a comprehensive database that analyzes the metaphors people use to discuss various topics and domains. Through these efforts, Jones aims to deepen our understanding of how language shapes our perceptions of the world and influences our behavior.