Rachel Rinaldo

Rachel Rinaldo is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (2007). Her research focuses on gender, globalization, religion, and qualitative methods, with a regional specialization in Southeast Asia and Muslim societies. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Indonesia since 2002, examining topics such as gender dynamics, religious activism, and family structures.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology, University of Chicago, 2007

Research Interests:

• Cultural sociology
• Gender and globalization
• Religion and social change
• Qualitative methods
• Indonesian studies

Rinaldo’s work bridges feminist theory and Islamic studies, challenging assumptions about the incompatibility of piety and feminism. Her book Mobilizing Piety: Islam and Feminism in Indonesia (2013) explores Muslim women activists in Jakarta. Recent research includes studies on divorce patterns in urban Java, pandemic impacts on gendered labor, and qualitative methodological innovations. She served as a Fulbright Scholar in Indonesia (2022–2023), conducting large-scale research on women and work.

Key Achievements:

• Fulbright Scholar (2022–2023)
• Faculty Director, Center for Asian Studies at UC Boulder

Advising & Grants:

Rinaldo oversees the Center for Asian Studies, supporting interdisciplinary research and teaching. Her grants have funded fieldwork in Indonesia and collaborative projects on gender, family, and globalization. She mentors students in qualitative research methods and Southeast Asian studies.

Labs/Teams:

Active in the Center for Asian Studies, she collaborates with scholars on cross-cultural projects and hosts forums on Asian sociocultural issues.