Jessica Pfaffendorf
About Jessica Pfaffendorf
Jessica is a PhD candidate in the School of Sociology at the University of Arizona. Her research explores the social psychological and cultural underpinnings of inequality among individuals. Active projects use qualitative and experimental methods to explore how status and stigma operate to produce new forms of inequality related to gender, class, race, and health. She has examined these issues in new, costly therapeutic programs for privileged youth as well as in employment outcomes for ex-offenders and individuals with mental illnesses.
Jessica holds an MA in sociology from the University of Arizona and a BA in sociology from Augsburg College where she was a Ronald E. McNair fellow.
Areas of Study
Inequality and Stratification, Social Psychology, Gender, Class, Race, Health/Mental Health, Culture, Deviance, Qualitative Methods, Experimental Methods
Selected Publications
Bjorklund, Eric, Andrew P. Davis, and Jessica Pfaffendorf. 2018. “Urine or You’re Out: Racialized Economic Threat and the Determinants of State-Level Drug Testing Requirements for Welfare Applicants.” The Sociological Quarterly 59(3):407-423.
Pfaffendorf, Jessica. 2017. “Sensitive Cowboys: Privileged Young Men and the Mobilization of Hybrid Masculinities in a Therapeutic Boarding School.” Gender & Society 31(2):197-222.
- Honorable Mention, 2018 Sex and Gender Section Sally Hacker Graduate Student Paper Award, American Sociological Association.
- Reprinted in Men’s Lives (10th Edition), edited by Michael Kimmel and Michael Messner. New York: Oxford University Press.
- 2016 Raymond V. Bowers Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Paper, University of Arizona.
- In the Press: Science Daily, Science Newsline, Psychology Central, MEL Magazine, Healio, UA News
Pfaffendorf, Jessica. 2017. "Reflections on Rehab: Navigating the Disparate System of Substance Abust Treatment." In Negotiating the Challenges of Conducting Deeply Personal Research in Health. Eds Nowakowski, Alexandra and J.E. Sumerau. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Publishing Group.
Media Writing
Pfaffendorf, Jessica. 2017. “From Typical Dudes to Sensitive Men: Gender Dilemmas in a Therapeutic Boarding School.” Invited post for the Sociologists for Women in Society’s Gender & Society blog.
Under Review
“Wayward Elites: From Social Reproduction to Social Restoration at a Therapeutic Boarding School.” Revise and Resubmit at Social Psychology Quarterly.
- Honorable mention, 2018 Social Psychology Section Graduate Student Paper Award, American Sociological Association.
- Winner, 2015 Raymond V. Bowers Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Paper, University of Arizona.
Contact Information
Courses Taught
Research Methods
Gender Identities, Interactions, and Relationships
Juvenile Delinquency
Individuals, Groups, and Society
