Melissa J. Wilde

Melissa J. Wilde is a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on what she calls “complex religion,” how religion intersects with other key social structures, especially race and class, and how those intersections can help us understand views of sex, gender, poverty, and even politics today. In addition to her two books, she has published award-winning articles in the American Sociological Review and the American Journal of Sociology. Professor Wilde was president of the Association for the Sociology of Religion in 2015 and chair of the Section on the Sociology of Religion of the American Sociological Association in 2019. In addition to her scholarly work, she was a consultant for the New York Times on the most recent Papal election. In her spare time, she enjoys CrossFit and any manner of outdoor activities, especially in the Adirondacks.