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
Translating Interdisciplinary Knowledge for Gender Equity
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.
Interdisciplinarity is often hailed as a necessity for tackling real-world challenges. This research examines the prevalence and impact of interdisciplinarity in the NSF ADVANCE program, which addresses gender equity in STEM. Through a quantitative analysis of authorship, references, and citations in ADVANCE publications, we compare the interdisciplinarity of knowledge produced within the program to traditional disciplinary knowledge. Our findings emphasize the significance of interdisciplinarity in problem-oriented knowledge production, indicating that specific forms of interdisciplinarity can lead to broader scientific impact.
Upcoming and Recent Presentations
Jessica Gold, PhD
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Northeastern University
ARC Network Virtual Visiting Scholar
Tucson, AZ