Dr. Ashley Harrell
Welcome! I am an Assistant Professor of Sociology (and Psychology and Neuroscience, by courtesy) at Duke University.
My research is centered on structural and social-psychological solutions to problems of cooperation, collective action, and social order. Much of my work is motivated by my interest in understanding the roles of micro-level attitudes and behaviors in shaping macro-level outcomes. My methodological approach is quantitative and relies largely on experimental data. One key area of my research examines how network structures promote or inhibit cooperation. Another examines the dynamics of leadership, power, and influence in groups. And I have focused on understanding additional mechanisms that influence prosocial behavior including inequality, joint vs. individual decision-making, moral judgments, status, and religion. My work has been published in the American Sociological Review, American Journal of Sociology, Science Advances, Social Forces, and Social Psychology Quarterly.
Prior to joining Duke, I worked at the University of Michigan, where I was Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies and Psychology (by courtesy). I received my Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. You can learn more about me at my personal website here.
