Dr. Shaquilla Harrigan
Sociologist | Writer | Maker
About Me
I received my Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2025. My research has three pipelines that take me across the United States and Kenya. I investigate how organizations educate and train African young people, the distribution of decision-making power among international development workers, and how organizational DEI paradigms impact on worker experiences.
I share my research and experiences navigating graduate school through writing across a range of publications. My research has been published in The Journal of Contemporary Ethnography. I have also contributed several advice articles to ProFellow. I also give people a peak into my life doing field work through a series of musings called “Finding My Way with Words.”
Hello, I’m Shaquilla! I’m a sociologist, writer, and maker. Each facet feeds my curiosity about the world. My work and values show a commitment to creativity, community, and care
My motivations for research and writing also come across in how I teach and mentor students. To honor the various experiences and sources of knowledge people possess, I believe in being a learner first, and teacher second. My teaching philosophy centers growth and advocating for a student’s particular needs.
When I’m not conducting fieldwork or teaching students, you can most probably find me at the pottery studio. I transform (sometimes more successfully than others) wet clay into artistic and functional pieces. Other handicrafts I do to work out the puzzles in my head include embroidery and painting.
Shaquilla Harrigan
Learn More
Research
Upskilling African young people, elastic transnational stratification, organizational approaches to DEI
Writing
Peer-reviewed research, uncovering the hidden curriculum of academia, finding my way with words
Handmade
The importance of handmade crafts, art, and food became even more salient after the passing of my grandmother in June 2022. During her celebration of life, I shared a poem called, “Granny’s Hands.” Over her life, Granny’s hands have made prom dresses, baked black cakes for people around the world, and provided care to hospital patients. I carry on her legacy and build my community through painting, embroidery, cooking, making functional ceramic ware.