Teaching

Matthew Baggetta

Lecturer on Sociology
and Harvard College Fellow

Biographical Note

Matthew Baggetta received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard in 2009. His research examines the effects of voluntary associations in society.

Matthew's dissertation takes advantage of the analytic leverage provided by multilevel data to test for causal effects of associational form on the political and civic behavior of members as well as identifying the particular organizational mechanisms that might produce these outcomes. His work is based on original data he collected through the Boston Area Choral Societies Study, focusing attention on a set of often cited but rarely studied independent community arts associations.

Beyond his dissertation, Matthew is a collaborator and coauthor with Kenneth Andrews, Marshall Ganz, Chaeyoon Lim, and Hahrie Han on a major multi-year study of the Sierra Club, one of America's oldest and largest federated environmental associations, seeking to explain why some of the Club's Chapters and Groups are more effective civic associations than others.

Matthew continues to work on topics regarding voluntary associations and civic engagement, focusing especially on what participants really learn in associations, how that civic learning takes place, and what subsequent effects that has on individuals and communities.

Publications

Baggetta, M. 2009. "Civic Opportunities in Associations: Interpersonal Interaction, Governance Experience, and Insitutional Relationships." Social Forces 88(1).

Andrews, K., Ganz, M., Baggetta, M., Han, H., and Lim, C. 2010. "Membership, Leadership, and Voice: Civic Associations that Work." American Journal of Sociology 115(4).

10/23/2009

Curriculum Vitae

Courses Offered This Academic Year

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Contact

617-495-3887 (Phone)
617-496-5794 (FAX)

648 William James Hall
33 Kirkland Street
Cambridge, MA 02138