معرفی
Jennifer McClure Haraway serves as Associate Professor of Religion and Sociology at Samford University's Howard College of Arts and Sciences, holding a joint appointment in the Biblical and Religious Studies and Geography and Sociology department. She concurrently functions as a Faculty Fellow at the university's Congregational Resource Center, where she develops practical ministry resources through partnerships with the Association of Religion Data Archives.
Her academic foundation includes a PhD in Sociology (2015) and MA in Sociology (2012) from Pennsylvania State University, complemented by a BA in Sociology and Mathematics (2010) from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. This dual expertise in social science theory and quantitative methods underpins her distinctive research approach.
Dr. Haraway's scholarship centers on religious congregations as social networks, examining homophily patterns, resource sharing dynamics, and prosocial behavior mechanisms. She innovatively applies social network analysis to biblical studies—particularly reconstructing Jesus's relational dynamics—and investigates how congregational structures influence community involvement. Her methodological rigor bridges statistical analysis with practical ministry applications, focusing on how faith communities navigate opportunities and challenges through interconnected networks.
Analysis of her 2013-2023 publications reveals consistent exploration of congregational interdependence, with recurring themes of network vitality, homophilous clustering, and community impact measurement. Her work demonstrates how relational positioning affects organizational sustainability and how congregational size mediates community engagement—a distinctive contribution merging sociological theory with religious practice.
Professionally, she maintains active membership in the American Sociological Association, Association for the Sociology of Religion, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and Association of Religion Data Archives. She applies her expertise through congregational consulting on demographic analysis and resource development, particularly supporting churches in understanding community contexts through the Center for Congregational Resources at Samford University.
Dr. Haraway attends Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral and pursues rock climbing, cycling, and hiking as personal interests that reflect her engagement with physical and communal challenges.
