Hartford Institute for Religion Research Welcomes New Fellow

HIU is pleased to welcome Joyce Chang as the new Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the Hartford Institute for Religion Research (HIRR).

Originally from California’s Bay Area, Joyce began her role in January and has recently relocated to Connecticut. In her position, she focuses on quantitative analysis and report writing for the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) project.

Joyce completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California. She also earned two master’s degrees at Fuller Theological Seminary — a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies. 

She is now finishing her doctorate at Baylor University, where her dissertation examines Asian American congregations and their role in shaping the sociopolitical attitudes and behaviors of religious Asian Americans.

Her research experience includes roles as a research assistant at the Baylor Faith and Disability Center and the Innovative Space for Asian American Christians, where she co-developed surveys and analyzed data. Additionally, she serves as a Graduate Writing Consultant at Baylor, helping students strengthen their academic writing and research strategies.

As an educator, Joyce has taught courses such as Introduction to Sociology, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, and Sociology of Gender, mentoring students both inside and outside the classroom.

Welcome, Joyce!