About Kiersten

Kiersten is a sociologist specializing in gender, social psychology, and culture. She studies gender inequality in the workplace, focusing on how cultural beliefs shape the perceptions and experiences of men and women at work. Her current projects examine topics such as how the gender composition of an occupation influences the cultural meaning and value attached to it, whether the motherhood penalty differs across in-person and remote work contexts, and who enacts backlash towards women politicians who use dominant language. She utilizes skills in survey and experimental design and quantitative analysis to provide novel insights that have critical implications for the real world.

Education

PhD Sociology | Duke University 2025

MA Sociology | Duke University 2022

BS Sociology, BS Psychology | University of Evansville 2018