Jessica Gold, PhD
Bio
Hi, I'm Jess! I'm a mixed-methods research scientist with 10+ years of experience leveraging social science to bridge rigorous research and strategic solutions. I use mixed-methods (quantitative advanced statistical analyses, computational text analyses, social network analyses, and qualitative interviews) in research that has explored equity and organizational change in higher education. I am passionate about advancing our understanding of social phenomena (i.e., I love studying people!) and contributing to evidence-based policy and practice.
Recent Research
Gender and Race Differences in Engaged Scholars among Faculty Applicants
Engaged scholarship, rhetorically endorsed by higher education institutions but structurally undervalued in academic reward systems, is particularly risky for junior scholars—yet remains understudied in this population. Using a unique dataset comprising the full text of 138,738 applications for assistant professor positions, this study links large-scale demographic hiring data with applicants’ substantive presentation of self via their use of engaged language in their applications. Results show that women of color are the most likely to present themselves as engaged scholars. This group is also notably underrepresented in faculty roles, suggesting a connection between engaged scholarship and systemic marginalization during a critical academic gatekeeping moment: faculty hiring.
DEI as Infrastructure - And Why We'll Miss It When It's Gone
This Op-Ed is part of a special collection of essays in Contexts: Sociology for the Public Spring 2025 issue exploring the consequences of the January 2025 Executive Order effectively ending all federal diversity, equity, and accessibility (DEIA) programs. This article, co-authored with Laura K. Nelson and Kathrin Zippel, explores those consequences in higher education through the case of the NSF ADVANCE program. We argue that DEIA principles are core to universities' central missions, including helping them stay responsive to societal changes over time. Through the ADVANCE program, we show that these types of programs do more than promote diversity; they transform institutions to be more innovative, equitable, and resilient.
Upcoming and Recent Presentations
Jessica Gold, PhD
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Northeastern University
ARC Network Virtual Visiting Scholar
Tucson, AZ