Author: Dilan Eren

I am a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at Boston University. I work at the intersection of work, occupations, and organizations by adopting a cultural sociology lens to examine topics of social inequality. My dissertation, “The Self-Taught Economy: Open-Access and Inclusion in the Tech Industry,” studies how aspiring developers without a computer science degree make sense and use open-access to coding skills initiatives to get jobs in tech. I adopt a longitudinal perspective and use multiple methods (including surveys, in-depth interviews, and digital ethnography and observations) to understand how open access to coding initiatives may alter or not the existing regimes of inequalities and make tech more or less diverse.

Call for Papers: Future of Activism Research Workshop (April 21 & 22, 2023), Sponsored by the Ford Center of the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

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Social movement activism continues to play a prominent role in politics, business, and culture. On the politics side, movements such as Black Lives Matter on the left and the Covid policy resistance movement on the right have been prominent. In business, #MeToo has significantly shaped workplace policies at the same time that the labor movement has experienced a resurgence. Culturally, activism has bled into the kinds of media we consume and become an integral part of individuals’ online lives. These movement “moments” have been accompanied by new types of resources (e.g., transnational organizational networks) and tactics available to activists (e.g., social media campaigns). Now is a good time to reflect on the question of: what next? The purpose of this conference will be to highlight new scholarship on social movement activists who are shaping our political, economic, and cultural worlds, with a key focus on how these worlds are being reshaped by technologies and changes to social and conventional media. We are also interested in the changing ideological landscape of social movements, including the consequences of polarization.

On April 21 and 22, 2023, at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, we will convene a small number of scholars in a workshop to present and discuss their research on the current and future directions of activism. The conference will be an intimate gathering and will allow for rich and in-depth discussion of the papers. If you are interested in participating in the workshop, please submit a 1-2 page abstract by January 30. You can upload your abstract at this link (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/32747b615d684693a13d6379ee0da31f). The abstract should contain a description of both the empirical context, theoretical perspective, and analytic approach of the paper. Prior to the workshop, we will ask participants to share a working paper with all other workshop participants. The Ford Center will provide lodging and subsidize the travel costs for one author of each paper presented at the workshop. We expect to accept between 10-12 papers. If you have any questions about the workshop, feel free to reach out to the organizers, Brayden King (b-king@kellogg.northwestern.edu) and Ed Walker (walker@soc.ucla.edu).

New Publication: Inequality and the Status Window: Inequality, Conflict, and the Salience of Status Differences in Conflicts over Resources

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New Publication by Kevin T. Leicht at RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences

Read the article here.

Abstract The study of the relationship between social status and inequality has a distinguished history. Inequality scholars outside this tradition have paid more attention to social status in response to a set of seemingly persistent paradoxes that defy easy explanation. I add to the tradition by developing the concept of status windows and status windows overlap to partially account for differences in the relationship between social status and inequality processes in low- and high-inequality environments. These concepts are tied to the functioning of social status in creating and maintaining inequality and to the characteristics of social networks that develop in (especially) high-inequality environments. I examine how the concepts of status windows and status window overlap can help explain some paradoxes in responses to heightened social inequality and recommend that research focus on understandings of status windows and status windows overlap to understand why social inequality continues unabated in some places.

Job Posting: Executive Director of the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI), the School of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois

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The School of Labor and Employment Relations invites applications for the inaugural Executive Director of the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI). The successful candidate will provide visible and compelling leadership to establish the Institute’s reputation as a state, national and global leader in research on workforce, societal and economic impacts of moving toward a cleaner energy future.  Newly established and funded by the Illinois Legislature in 2022, the Climate Jobs Institute will produce high-quality, reliable, and accurate quantitative analysis and research on labor, employment, and the broader social and economic impacts of decarbonization. The Climate Jobs Institute’s research and educational programming will support the State of Illinois’s transition to a strong, equitable decarbonized economy. As the State has established itself as an early mover within the U.S. on these issues, the research conducted by the CJI also stands to have considerable impact on other federal, state and local policies beyond Illinois, making this a particularly timely and exciting opportunity.

Learn more and Apply: https://jobs.chronicle.com/job/37349365

Call for Papers: EGOS 2023– Sub-theme 61: “Problems or Solutions? Emerging Technology, Equity & Inclusion at Work”

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We would like to bring to your attention to the sub-theme on “Problems or Solutions? Emerging Technology, Equity & Inclusion at Work,” which we are convening as part of the European Group for Organization Studies (EGOS) 39th annual colloquium in Cagliari, Italy. The conference will take place on July 6-8, 2023.

Our purpose is to bring together researchers interested in emerging technology, organizations, and equity, with a special interest on both the inherent biases and promising solutions emerging technology might bring. For this gathering, we welcome papers from different perspectives, regions, and disciplines.

If you are interested, we encourage you to submit a short paper (3,000 words) before January 10, 2023. You can access the full call for papers here:

https://www.egos.org/jart/prj3/egos/main.jart?rel=de&reserve-mode=active&content-id=1658501434997&subtheme_id=1658501441799

And the detailed instructions for submission can be found at:

https://www.egos.org/2023_Cagliari/SUB-THEMES_Call-for-Short-Papers

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact:

Lindsey Cameron (Wharton, UPenn), ldcamer@wharton.upenn.edu

Pamela Hinds (Stanford), phinds@stanford.edu

Elise Mattarelli (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy and San Jose State University), elisa.mattarelli@sjsu.edu

New Publication: Within-job gender pay inequality in 15 countries

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Led by Andrew Penner, the Comparative Organizational Inequality Network (COIN) has published a paper in Nature, Human Behaviour  that compares gender pay gaps and their firm, occupation, job segregation components and within job pay gaps using administrative data for fifteen countries. 

Read the article here.

Abstract Extant research on the gender pay gap suggests that men and women who do the same work for the same employer receive similar pay, so that processes sorting people into jobs are thought to account for the vast majority of the pay gap. Data that can identify women and men who do the same work for the same employer are rare, and research informing this crucial aspect of gender differences in pay is several decades old and from a limited number of countries. Here, using recent linked employer–employee data from 15 countries, we show that the processes sorting people into different jobs account for substantially less of the gender pay differences than was previously believed and that within-job pay differences remain consequential.

Call for Papers: EGOS 2023 – Subtheme 4: “Social Movements and Organizations: Outcomes and Secondary Effects”

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We would like to bring to your attention to the sub-theme on “Social Movements and Organizations: Outcomes and Secondary Effects,” which we are convening as part of the European Group for Organization Studies (EGOS) 39th annual colloquium in Cagliari, Italy. The conference will take place on July 6-8, 2023.

Our purpose is to bring together researchers interested in social movements and organizations, especially for a deeper examination of the consequences of activist efforts. For this gathering, we welcome papers from different perspectives, regions, and disciplines.

Our subtheme is part of EGOS Standing Working Group (SWG) 04 on Social Movements and Organizations.

If you are interested, we encourage you to submit a short paper (3,000 words) before January 10, 2023. You can access the full call for papers here:

https://www.egos.org/jart/prj3/egos/main.jart?rel=de&reserve-mode=active&content-id=1658501434997&subtheme_id=1658501441799

And the detailed instructions for submission can be found at:

https://www.egos.org/2023_Cagliari/SUB-THEMES_Call-for-Short-Papers

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact:

Forrest Briscoe (Penn State University), fbriscoe@psu.edu

Panikos Georgallis (University of Amsterdam), p.georgallis@uva.nl

Jocelyn Leitzinger (University of Illinois Chicago), jocelynl@uic.edu

Job Posting: Tenure-track Professor in Management, Drew University

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We created a Business major that we think reflects the liberal arts tradition of breadth and depth of study and which draws upon multiple disciplines and perspectives including (but not limited to) Anthropology, Computer and Data Science, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Would be perfect fit for someone whose work is interdisciplinary. Added perks are beautiful campus and proximity to NYC.

Drew University seeks applications for an open-rank tenure-track Professor in Management beginning August 2023. Apply here.

Key Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will teach core and elective courses related to management in our interdisciplinary business program and work closely with our undergraduate students. In addition, they will contribute to a program that values interdisciplinary, experiential, ethical, and global business perspectives. We especially encourage candidates with experience and/or interest in the administration and leadership of academic programs and departments, with the potential of serving in this capacity at Drew University in the near future.

Requirements:

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in management or a related social science field with substantial relevance to management (e.g., industrial and organizational psychology, organizational studies, organizational sociology), by August 1, 2023. Teaching responsibilities include core and upper-level management classes.

Application:

To apply, please submit: (1) a cover letter; (2) current curriculum vitae; (3) a brief statement of teaching interests and philosophy; (4) evidence of teaching excellence; (5) a job paper or published article; and (6) Contact information for three references, at least one of whom can address teaching experience. The committee will request reference letters only for semi-finalists in the search process. For full consideration, applications must be complete by Friday December 16, 2022.

About Drew University:

Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City.

It has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 students and has 136 full-time faculty members, 96% of whom hold the terminal degree in their field. The Theological and Caspersen schools offer master’s and doctoral degrees, and the College confers BA and BS degrees in 40 disciplines and offers 19 dual-degree programs.

Drew’s one-of-a-kind, leading edge path to an undergraduate degree, Launch, ensures that every student graduates with a purpose, sought-after transferable skills, a network of mentors, and an experience-based résumé—guaranteed. Particularly noteworthy opportunities for undergraduates include the Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI), the Center for Civic Engagement, as well as seven New York City semesters and several international study abroad programs.

The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies offers a wide array of distinctive and flexible advanced degree programs designed to meet the needs of almost any busy schedule. All programs are based on Drew’s renowned commitment to faculty-student mentorship, opportunities for out-of-the-classroom experiential learning, and facilitating a robust intellectual community. 

The Theological School has a distinguished history rooted in the United Methodist Church. Today, it serves many denominations as a center for preparing clergy and leaders for service in the church and the world. Its focus on biblical and theological scholarship and social justice has made it a sought after destination for students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.

To enrich education through diversity, Drew University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Following federal and state requirements; a candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States if selected for hire. 

These positions are subject to a background check.

Postdoc Position: Postdoc at Wharton

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Wharton People Analytics is seeking two postdoctoral researchers to assist in the development of research projects in people analytics, primarily in collaboration with Professors Matthew Bidwell and Peter Cappelli. We are seeking to launch two new multi-year projects. One will explore the role of analytics in managing frontline workers, examining how technology can improve the conditions under which employees work. A second project seeks to develop our understanding of the challenges involved in managing remote and hybrid work. As the projects are just beginning, successful applicants will help to define the research and consequent publications. They will also have opportunities to continue to advance their own research agendas.

The roles will have two main responsibilities. In the initial phases of the project, the postdoctoral researchers will liaise with companies as we seek to build partnerships for this research. Activities may include setting up small conferences and writing research proposals. As the project develops, we will gather and analyze data. The postdoctoral researchers will be expected to take the lead in this process. In addition, the researchers may be asked to assist with the broader work of the People Analytics Initiative and the Center for Human Resources from time to time

Successful candidates will be expected to have the following competencies:

  • Ability to effectively manage relationships with corporate partners
  • Ability to manage and analyze large datasets, through familiarity with at least one programming environment (e.g. R, Stata, Python) and preferably more.
  • A strong background in multivariate statistical analyses
  • Ability to work independently and be proactive in developing a research project.
  • A good grasp of fundamental concepts around employment and careers

Although we are open to a variety of profiles, we believe that the successful candidate is likely to benefit from having had some of the following experiences:

  • PhD (or ABD) in management, sociology, economics, industrial relations or IO psychology with a research focus on employment issues
  • Previous experience in working with complex dataset
  • Work experience in a corporate setting

The salary will be between $54,800 and $65,000 depending on qualifications and years of experience. Benefits include health insurance and paid vacation and sick leave.

To apply, please e-mail your CV, cover letter, one representative publication or working paper, and the names and contact information for two references to peopleanalytics@wharton.upenn.edu by February 28th 2023.

Announcement: Diane Vaughan’s “Dead Reckoning: Air Traffic Control, System Effects, and Risk” (Chicago, 2021) has been selected for the 2023 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gardner-Lasser Aeronautics and Astronautics History Literature Award.

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Dead Reckoning is an historical ethnography covering the life course of the air traffic control system from system emergence through 2017. Based on archival research and field work in four air traffic control facilities, the book focuses on how historical conditions, social actors, and events in the system’s institutional environment – political, economic, technological, cultural – impact the air traffic organization, changing it, and how in turn those changes affect not only the social, technological, and material arrangements of the workplace, but also controllers’  interpretive work, cultural understandings, and work practices. Far from a top-down model, controllers – the workers at the bottom of the hierarchy – respond to these events, making repairs that supply organizational resilience. Building on work on institutional logics, boundaries and boundary work, culture and cognition, and expertise, the case demonstrates the connection between institutional change, agency, and persistence over the life course.

Announcement: Gender, Professions, and Organizations Writing Workshop (SWS 2023 Winter Meeting)

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Register now for the 21st semi-annual Gender, Professions, and Organizations writing workshop at the SWS winter conference (Thurs, Jan 5th) by e-mailing Sharla Alegria (sharla.alegria@utoronto.ca) 

The 21st semi-annual Gender, Professions, and Organizations Writing Workshop is back to its in-person format from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2023 – the day of pre-conference activities for the Sociologists for Women in Society Winter Meeting in New Orleans. Originally a workgroup of sociologists studying gender and academic careers, scientific organizations, and organizational transformations to promote gender equality, the workshop has grown to now include scholars of gender, professions, and organizations more broadly. Our aims are to learn about the range of work of attendees, facilitate collaboration, build community across career stages, and MOST IMPORTANTLY to dedicate time for writing. This is an opportunity to write, network, and collaborate. We encourage new and returning participants. If you’ve never come, welcome, and if you have, welcome back! 

As a group, we will discuss our current research projects. This exercise provides useful information to explore potential collaborations throughout the day. There will be designated blocks of independent, quiet writing time. You may use this time any way you wish: brainstorm a new paper, put finishing touches on a manuscript, work with collaborators, or analyze data. There will be separate, designated spaces for conversations around research and collaboration.

The full-day workshop is organized as two standalone sessions, each with time for introductions and time for writing. We will take a lunch break in between the two sessions at a nearby restaurant. At the end of the day, we come together for a discussion of what we have accomplished and our future plans. Participants are welcome to join for the morning, afternoon, or both. We will make a reservation for lunch (self-paid) for all who wish to join.

Anyone attending SWS is welcome to join the workshop. The workshop begins early on the 12th, so we recommend arriving in New Orleans on the 11th. Send an email to Sharla Alegria (sharla.alegria@utoronto.ca) by January 5th  to register. 

Your SWS meeting fee will cover the room cost for the workshop. Participants should bring their own laptop computers (and maybe an extension cord) and snacks to share, as we do not have extra funding.

 Best,

Sharla Alegria (Assistant Professor, University of Toronto)

Melissa Abad (Senior Research Scholar, Stanford VMWare Women’s Leadership Lab)

Ethel Mickey (Assistant Professor, California State University, San Bernardino)

Firuzeh Shokooh Valle (Assistant Professor of Sociology, Franklin and Marshall College)

Former organizers: Rodica Lisnic, Elizabeta Shifrin, Kathrin Zippel, Laura Kramer, Christina Falci, Laura Hirshfield, Julia McQuillan, and Enobong Hannah (Anna) Branch, Laura Kramer, Shauna Morimoto