Duke’s Social Sciences departments are growing with new scholars whose work spans data-driven research and interpretive inquiry. These faculty bring fresh perspectives to the study of human behavior, social structures, and cultural change—advancing our understanding of how people and societies evolve. Through their research and teaching, they embody Duke’s mission of using knowledge in service to society.
The Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) looks forward to collaborating with these new colleagues as they settle into the Duke community. From research support and data consulting to grant development, mentoring, and collaborative workspace, SSRI offers a range of resources to help faculty launch new projects, connect across disciplines, and amplify the impact of their work.
Francisco Garfias
Associate Professor of Political Science
From colonial archives to modern-day taxation, Garfias explores how centuries-old Spanish records in Mexico reveal insights into state building and the political economy of development.
Daniel Scott Smith
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Smith studies how diverse perspectives can lead to uncertainty and bias—but also to better-quality science and richer learning among researchers.
Phia Salter
Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
A critical race psychologist, Salter examines how collective memory shapes social identity and systemic racism.
Allison Anoll
Associate Professor of Political Science
Anoll investigates how Americans learn to be citizens and what drives political engagement.
Wenhao Jiang
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Using natural language processing, Jiang studies the cultural forces behind economic inequality—especially how jobs lose pay and prestige once they’re seen as “women’s work.”
Jiawei Fu
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Fu combines theory and data to understand voter decision-making, exploring how corruption scandals and campaign messages shape electoral outcomes.
Yingni Guo
Associate Professor of Economics
Guo examines how bias in hiring and promotion affects lifelong outcomes for workers.
Alika Burgette
Assistant Professor of History
A Native Hawaiian scholar, Burgette researches early 20th-century Hawaiian history and the ongoing struggle for land and water justice in Honolulu.
Linlin Yao
Lecturer in the Program in Education
Yao teaches Educational Psychology, helping students understand how developmental, social, and cognitive psychology apply to childhood education.
Wendy Morrison
Assistant Professor of Economics
Morrison studies how household choices shape the broader economy, influencing the impact of taxes and interest rates.
Christopher Walker
Assistant Professor of Economics
Walker uses advanced statistical methods to make sense of complex economic questions, from mergers to market trends.