Contemplating how her passions harmonize so well with the era in which she has been able to pursue them, Carole Joffe says she often thinks of the old Chinese proverb: “May you live in interesting times.” It’s considered a curse by some, but a blessing by others — especially a social climatologist like Joffe.

“These are indeed interesting times,” says the professor of sociology and women and gender studies, on campus since 1990. “And, given the issues I am involved with, very scary times,” she adds.

An authority in reproductive health services and reproductive politics, Joffe has written dozens of books, articles and op-ed pieces and has become a favorite source for print and broadcast reporters as the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade marks its 30th anniversary. She speaks regularly at conferences and rallies — offering sociological and historical perspective on the abortion controversy in the United States.

“In terms of what my research ‘contributes,’” Joffe said, “I have been very gratified that my work increasingly reaches an audience beyond academia.”

Reaching out runs in her blood.

Her father was a physician. “The old fashioned kind, who actually made house calls,” Joffe said. She experienced some of her first medical field work at his side, accompanying him as he attended to patients — “going out into the ‘real world’ and talking to real people about their lives.” Those visits formed the foundation for her interest in sociology.

The 1960s and ‘70s took care of the rest.

Joffe left home for college during an era of civil unrest, activism and social policy reform — a climate that nurtured her innate humanistic interests. “Since I was an undergraduate at Brandeis University in the 1960s, I have had an unabashed love affair with sociology,” she said.

In 1968, she went on to graduate school at UC Berkeley — an epicenter for constitutional-issues debate. It was a “time of great ferment in this society,” Joffe said, citing the anti-war and civil rights movements, emergence of gay rights and, most influential to her personally, the emergence of a second wave of feminism.

Her agenda since then, she said, has been to examine the impact of the women’s movement on U.S. society — including effects on reproductive freedoms, equal pay, equal employment opportunity and quality childcare.

During her time at Berkeley, Joffe also met her future husband — fellow graduate student Fred Block, now a professor of sociology at UC Davis as well.

A former professor of social work, Joffe believes it to be a “beleaguered profession.” But one, she said, “that is among the most decent of human endeavors.”

“It’s chronically underfunded and often controversial,” she said. In addition, people frequently think those who receive social workers’ help are undeserving, and the recipients themselves are often resentful of the bureaucracy of it all.

Joffe’s courses usually include the graduate-level Sociology of Reproduction and an undergraduate course in the Sociology of Social Welfare. She also often teaches the interdisciplinary Graduate Studies course Professional Integrity in the Contemporary University. And she’s looking forward to resuming her undergraduate seminar Emerging Issues in Women’s Health this fall.

Until then, she will be finishing a year-long visiting professorship at UC San Francisco’s Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy. Working in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Joffe is researching technological and medical developments in the field — including increased availability of the “abortion pill,” RU-486, and what potential that has to reshape the abortion debate.

It’s a progressive medical school, Joffe said, and she’s been thrilled to have the opportunity. “Given what I study, it’s not easy to find a suitable base to conduct this research. Reproductive rights are a polarizing issue.”

What do you like most about your work?

Just the ability to combine teaching and doing research that is personally meaningful. Both are in their own ways challenging and gratifying.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your work?

Time management. Doing right by all one’s obligations and still having enough energy to enjoy life. It’s difficult finding the right balance between work, family and friends. Between different parts of my work. Between being with others and having enough solitude. In short, it’s the same set of problems facing virtually all women who work outside the home.

If you could have three wishes, what would they be?

For myself, I’d wish for a real New England-quality fall foliage in California. For all Americans, I’d  wish for everybody to have health care and decent living wages. For the world, I’d wish for a peaceful resolution to the Iraq conflict and for a reduction in global tension.

What do you find encouraging about these times?

The human impulse to learn new things and, when we exercise it, our ability to look at things in different ways.

Who inspires you?

To quote Bill Clinton, “people who work hard and play by the rules.” I’m inspired by people who go to work every day, who work two jobs and aren’t even earning a living wage, but who carry on. I find such everyday courage extraordinary.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

There is not much to be surprised by. I lead such a conventional life. I’m married and have been for 30 years, and we have two children. Perhaps people would be surprised by the fact that I love “The Simpsons” and I love to shoot pool — surprising only because people often expect college professors to have more lofty interests.

What’s something you always keep on hand?

A watch. I feel so chronically over-scheduled. Not that knowing the time is all that comforting. And a copy of the New York Times — I read it fanatically.

What do you do to unwind?

I play tennis. What’s wonderful about living in California is that you can play practically year-round. Also, whenever I can, Igo hiking at Point Reyes and watch “The West Wing” on TV.

Read any good books lately?

Reading Chekhov, by Janet Malcolm. She mixes biography in with her story of traveling to Russia to conduct research on Chekhov. Also I liked Groves of Academe, by Mary McCarthy. I especially enjoy novels set on college campuses.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

That’s pretty easy — Casablanca. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman made a great couple and I love the combination of politics and personal drama.