Jennifer McClure Haraway is a sociologist of religion whose work focuses on churches, synagogues, and other local congregations. She received her PhD in Sociology from Penn State University. Her professional interests include religious congregations, prosocial behavior (volunteering, charitable giving, etc.), social psychology, social networks, and statistics. She teaches courses that integrate social scientific insights with ministry preparation: church dynamics; faith development; conflict, change, and misconduct in ministry; Christian faith and community service. Her research projects focus on: Jesus’s social network (i.e., the relational dynamics surrounding His life and ministry); social networks and relational patterns among congregations in central Alabama; church-based ministries that encourage people to more deeply understand and live out their callings.
McClure Haraway consults with congregations and ministers, especially in the areas of understanding community demographics. She also develops congregational resources with the Association of Religion Data Archives and works closely with the Center for Congregational Resources at Samford University. She attends Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
McClure Haraway enjoys rock climbing, cycling and hiking.
Degrees and Certifications
- PhD, Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, 2015
- MA, Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, 2012
- BA, Sociology and Mathematics, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 2010
Expertise
- Sociology of Religion
- Religious Congregations
- Social Networks
- Statistics for Social Sciences
Involvement
- American Sociological Association
- Association for the Sociology of Religion
- Association of Religion Data Archives
- Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies
- Center for Congregational Resources at Samford University
- Religious Research Association
- Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
