Dr. Bruce Link is a leading scholar in sociology, public health, and psychiatric epidemiology. His research focuses on the association between health inequalities and socioeconomic status; social stigma and mental illness; and the relationship between mental illnesses and violent behaviors.

He was one of only six UCR faculty recognized in 2025 by Clarivate Analytics in their annual Clarivate Analytics in their annual Highly Cited list" Highly Cited list with 8,179 Google Scholar citations, his highest ever. He has made the list since 2016. Through the span of his entire career, he has had over 118,000 Google Scholar citations.

In 2026, he became the first professor from the UCR School of Public Policy to ever receive the UCR Faculty Research Lecturer Award. Presented annually by the UCR Academic Senate, the award recognizes individuals with a distinguished record in research. He will deliver a lecture to commemorate the award in the coming academic school year.

According to Dr. Link, what makes him happiest and most fulfilled is engaging with his students and colleagues.