Research

Sociology of Gender

• Under Review: “Empathetic Masculinity: The Raced Gender Order Among Male Latino Evangelicals in the Southern Baptist Convention”

In studies of evangelicalism and gender, scholars have largely focused on white evangelicalism, characterized by hegemonic, patriarchal leadership rooted in a mid-20th-century revitalized evangelical identity that reinforced gender traditionalism and white supremacy. The growing presence of Latino evangelicals is one of the most significant religious trends, challenging traditional narratives in evangelicalism. Research on the intersection of masculine expression and racial dynamics as perceived by Latino men remains understudied. This paper explores two questions: how do Latino evangelical pastors understand and reinforce gender roles within their ministries, considering their cultural identity and denominational context? Additionally, how do racial dynamics shape the way Latino evangelical pastors perceive and respond to gender dynamics in their congregations? The findings of this study reveal three ways Latino pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) renegotiate gender dynamics: 1) expressing ‘soft’ complementarianism; 2) reconceptualizing Christ’s masculinity; and 3) reworking machismo and emotional expression. These patterns reflect a broader shift toward what this paper terms empathetic masculinity, in which Latino pastors both reinforce and renegotiate traditional gender hierarchies, embracing emotional vulnerability, and transforming cultural expressions.

Sociology of Race

• In-progress: “Liminal Latinidad: The Navigation of Racial Identities and Leadership Among Latino Evangelical Pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention”

(TBD)

Sociology of Religion

• In-progress: "A Study of Megachurches and Diversity

    (TBD)

• Social psychology and religion 

2025-06-03 | Book chapter

DOI: 10.4337/9781035306596.00036

Religion plays a crucial role as a societal institution, exerting a profound and far-reaching influence on individuals, groups, and entire societies. This chapter presents an in-depth examination of the social psychological research surrounding religion, delving into the intricate interplay between religious identities, experiences, beliefs, and practices. It also explores how these elements affect non-religious social processes, cognitions, and behaviors. By synthesizing a diverse array of empirical studies, this chapter investigates the ways in which religion impacts a range of social psychological phenomena, including the formation of personal and group identities, the perpetuation of prejudice and discrimination, the fostering of prosocial behavior, and the dynamics of intergroup relations. Moreover, the chapter underscores the fluid nature of religious identity and emphasizes the consequences of religious diversity on social interactions resulting from religious engagement.

Sociology of Music

• Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour: A Multidimensional Impact on Music, Society, and Identity 

SAGE Business Cases

2024 | Journal article

DOI: 10.4135/9781071940846

ISBN: 9781071940846

This case study allows students to explore the multidimensional impact of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and its implications across music, politics, gender and race dynamics, and environmentalism. This study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the good, bad, and ugly consequences of the Eras Tour on cultural and ecological landscapes. Beginning with a contextual overview of Swift’s biography and achievements, these insights lay the groundwork for an analysis of her music tour. Subsequently, the study focuses on the positive dimensions of Swift’s Eras Tour, highlighting its role as a catalyst for empowerment, positivity, and acceptance of gender diversity among fans while also functioning as a source of economic revitalization for communities. The case concludes with the application of racial and environmental theoretical frameworks to underscore the negative dimensions of the tour, foregrounding issues of materialism, waste, and racial dynamics related to White normalcy and supremacy. Students’ analysis of the concurrent beneficial and detrimental effects of Swift’s Eras Tour will elucidate the complex interplay of politics, ecology, gender, and race in shaping social norms and the music industry.

• Missy Elliott’s Hall of Fameworthy Career: Hip Hop Feminism, Culture, and Capital 

Sage Business Cases

2024 | Journal article

DOI: 10.4135/9781071941386

ISBN: 9781071941386

This case explores the career trajectory and success of Missy Elliott, a prominent figure in the music industry. By examining Elliott’s rise to fame from a historical perspective, readers will understand the factors that contributed to and opposed her exceptional achievements. The first section focuses on Elliott’s rise to fame and explores the societal landscape and prevailing issues from the early 1990s to the early 2000s. The subsequent section weaves in theoretical frameworks put forth by Pierre Bourdieu and Catherine Hakim, highlighting specific moments in Elliott’s career where these concepts come into play. The final part of the case study focuses on Elliott’s career in the present day, showcasing her ongoing achievements and the different types of capital that have propelled her forward. By examining the interplay between concepts of capital, power, and agency, and their intersection with Black Feminism, the case contributes to the ongoing debate surrounding the success of women in the music industry, explicit sexuality, and its impact on patriarchal norms that often objectify and marginalize women.

• Bad Bunny and the Extraordinary Rise of Latin Music 

Sage Business Cases

2024 | Journal article

DOI: 10.4135/9781071934951

ISBN: 9781071934951

This case study explores the growing phenomenon of Latin music, with a particular focus on the influential role of rapper Bad Bunny in the music industry. By examining Bad Bunny’s impact on the significant rise in the streaming of Latin music, this study aims to provide readers with an understanding of the substantial gains made by Latino artists and the potential implications for ethnoracial dynamics. The first section of this study focuses on Bad Bunny’s distinctive music career and summarizes key themes within the evolution of Latin music, along with the contributions of its pioneers, spanning several decades. Subsequently, the study integrates theoretical frameworks proposed by Michael Omi and Howard Winant (1994), Frederik Barth (1969), and Wendy Roth (2009), which offer insights into racial identity and formation, boundary-making, and panethnicity. Through an analysis of the interplay between ethnoracial representation and perception, group formation, and panethnicity, this case study seeks to elucidate Bad Bunny’s role and influence as a prominent Latin artist shaping contemporary music dynamics.

Andrea has conducted extensive fieldwork and has traveled through 45+ countries across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These experiences have deeply shaped her curiosity, worldview, and research interests, especially in how people construct meaning, identity, and belonging across cultural and spiritual landscapes.