PhD
Economic Sociology
Economic Sociology at MIT Sloan trains scholars to use sociology to understand how organizations and economies work. This group meets the growing need for sociologically trained faculty in business schools and the expanding field of economic sociology. Leading researchers like Ezra W. Zuckerman Sivan, Emilio J. Castilla, Johan Chu, Kate Kellogg, and Ray Reagans explore the links between organizations, institutions, and the economy. Their work uses qualitative research (e.g., fieldwork, case studies, ethnography), quantitative research (e.g., surveys, archival databases, social network analysis), and modeling (e.g., systems dynamics, game theory, agent-based models) to explain economic processes.
Research from Economic Sociology Faculty
MIT Sloan’s 2026 summer book collection
Here are six titles connected to the MIT Sloan School of Management covering topics such as economic strategy, entrepreneurship, talent management, and cultural evolution in the age of AI.
How generative AI ‘persuasion bombs’ users — and how to fight back
When professionals try to validate outputs, generative AI often responds not with corrections or candor but with escalating persuasion tactics.
5 ‘heavy lifts’ of deploying AI agents
New research provides insights for using AI agents in clinical settings.
Agentic AI, explained
The age of agentic AI — systems that are semi- or fully autonomous and can act on their own — has arrived. Here’s what you need to know, according to MIT experts.
Select Economic Sociology Faculty
DIRECTOR
Ezra W. Zuckerman Sivan
Alvin J. Siteman (1948) Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy
Ezra Zuckerman Sivan is the Alvin J. Siteman (1948) Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship. He is also cofounder of MIT Sloan's PhD Program in Economic Sociology. Zuckerman Sivan is an economic sociologist whose research focuses on showing how…
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Economic Sociology Faculty
Johan Chu
Hear name pronounced.Sarofim Family Career Development Assistant Professor
Johan Chu is the Sarofim Family Career Development Assistant Professor and an Assistant Professor of System Dynamics at the MIT Sloan School of Management Johan's research examines power. Recently-developed technologies–including generative AI–allow…
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Kate Kellogg
Hear name pronounced.David J. McGrath jr (1959) Professor of Management and Innovation
Kate Kellogg is the David J. McGrath jr Professor of Management and Innovation, a Professor of Business Administration at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Kate's research focuses on helping knowledge workers and organizations develop and…
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Example PhD Thesis Topics
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Tatiana Labuzova (2025)
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Hagay Volvovsky (2023)
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Carolyn Fu (2022)
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Ethan Poskanzer (2022)
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Summer Jackson (2021)