I’m Kaitlin Joshua. I’m a researcher, PhD Candidate in the Sociology Department at UNC Chapel Hill, and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. I expect to complete my Ph.D. in May 2027.
My broad research agenda analyzes how people imagine, experience, and interpret reproductive transitions, particularly the transition to parenthood. I show how social factors, like gender, race, and class, shape whether, how, when, and why people prioritize parenthood. These questions have significant implications for reproductive healthcare in the United States. I specialize in qualitative and mixed method research designs, integrating in-depth interviews, surveys, participant observations, and social media.
I received my M.A. in Sociology from UNC Chapel Hill in May 2024, and my B.A. in Medicine, Health, and Society and Economics from Vanderbilt University in May 2021.
When I’m not working on research projects, I enjoy reading fiction, taking outdoor walks, practicing yoga, and checking out local art galleries and museums — I love visiting the Ackland in Chapel Hill and Peel in Carrboro. I’m originally from Mississippi, but I’ve been living and researching in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina since 2021.
Cover Art: Claire Mahl Moore, The Family, c. 1936, screenprint, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3561
Kaitlin H. Joshua 