Jerry Park

Dr. Jerry Park is an associate professor of sociology at Baylor University and an affiliate fellow of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame and a B.A. in Psychology with a Sociology minor from the University of Virginia. His research focuses on the intersection of race, religion, and identity, with particular emphasis on Asian-American religiosity, racial inequality attitudes, and minority-serving congregations. Current projects include studies on white Christian nationalism, anti-Asian discrimination, and the paradoxes of assimilation among religious minorities.

Dr. Park teaches courses on racial and ethnic inequalities at the undergraduate level and advanced seminars on culture/religion and race/gender/religion at the graduate level. He serves as president-elect of the Association for the Sociology of Religion (2024-2025). His work has been featured in leading journals like The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion and Sociological Perspectives, and he is actively involved in data collection efforts that prioritize racial and religious minority representation.

Key research themes include the sociological analysis of religious institutions during crises, the role of faith-based communities in racial justice movements, and the complex relationship between religious beliefs and systemic racism. His recent publications address topics ranging from policing disparities to the challenges faced by Muslim immigrants in America.