Kim Pernell

Kim Pernell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the Human Dimensions of Organizations program and the Population Research Center. Her research focuses on economic sociology, organizational behavior, and financial regulation.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University

Pernell investigates the causes and consequences of risky organizational practices, particularly in banking and finance. Her work spans comparative-historical analysis of regulatory systems, quantitative studies of bank risk-taking since the 1980s, and examinations of financial systems' societal impacts on inequality and childcare costs. She employs mixed methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Research Trends: Her publications reveal expertise in financial regulation, moral hazard, institutional logics, and diversity policies. Recurring themes include trust dynamics (2025), regulatory divergence (2016), and the interplay between shareholder value and risk-taking (2020).

Awards & Grants:

• American Sociological Association accolades
• National Science Foundation funding
• Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics support
• Canada Research Chair program

Teaching: She teaches courses on economic sociology (SOC 321K) and supervises teaching in sociology (SOC 398T), alongside human dimensions of organizations courses (HDO 310) since 2023.