Carly Sherman
SOCIOLOGY DOCTORAL CANDIDATE
Research Interests
Culture, Theory, Gender, Sexuality, Subcultures, Identity, New Religious Movements
Email
csherma2@nd.edu
Address
4060 Jenkins Nanovic Halls Notre Dame, IN 46556
Carly is a fifth-year Ph.D. Student at the University of Notre Dame. She specializes in cultural sociology, theory, and religion, with a particular interest in subcultures, identity, and meaning-making. She has done research on such diverse communities as Pagans and Witches, tea connoisseurs, and Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts. She lives in Southwest Michigan with her husband and their animal menagerie: 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 5 snakes, and a flock of parrots. In her spare time she enjoys building terrariums, painting tabletop miniatures, and writing Marvel fanfiction.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME Notre Dame, IN
Thesis: "Which is Witch? Authenticity, Aesthetic, and Pop Culture Representation in the Witchcraft Community
2020 - 2023
Master's Degree (M.A.)
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Bloomington, IL
Summa Cum Laude, ΦΒΚ, ΦΚΦ Major: Sociology Minors: Women's and Gender Studies, Religion
2013 - 2017
Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.)
Recent Projects
Current Dissertation Work:
“Solitarity” Rituals:
Emotional Energy, Parasociality, and Solidarity in Solo Religious Practice
Subversive Witches and Mother Goddesses: Sacred Archetypes and Metaphors that Matter
A Taste for Tea: Collaborative Communities and Symbolic Ownership at a Steampunk Tea Shop
Which is Witch? Authenticity, Aesthetic, and Pop Culture Representation in the Witchcraft Community
Roleplay and Reality:
What Dungeons & Dragons Can Teach Us About Social Change
Conferences and Presentations
Upcoming:
American Sociological Association
August 2024
Montréal, Québec
“Solitarity” Rituals:
Emotional Energy, Parasociality, and Solidarity in Solo Religious Practice
Midwest Sociological Society Annual Meeting
April 2024
Des Moines, IA
“Which is Witch?”
Authenticity, Aesthetic, and Pop Culture Representation in the Magical Community
View Recorded Presentation
Chicago Ethnography Conference
April 2022
UW-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
“A Taste for Tea”
View Recorded Presentation
Midwest Sociological Society Annual Meeting
March 2017
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"Mother Goddesses and Subversive Witches"
Poster Presentation
John Wesley Powell Undergraduate Research Conference
April 2017
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois
"Mother Goddesses and Subversive Witches"
Oral Presentation
Undergraduate Human Rights Research Workshop
February 2017
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois
"Mother Goddesses and Subversive Witches"
Oral Presentation
Illinois Sociological Association Annual Meeting
November 2016
Normal, Illinois
"Brace Spaces and Difficult Dialogues: A Case Study of IWU Interfaith”
Oral Presentation
NASPA Region IV West/East Annual Conference
November 2016
St. Louis, Missouri
“Loving the Questions: Rilke, Religious Diversity, and ReligiosiTEA”
Oral Presentation, co-presenter: Rev. Elyse Nelson Winger
Experience
August 2022 - May 2023
Teaching Assistant
University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
Assisted Dr. Terence McDonnell in tasks for Introductory Sociology, which had an enrollment of 100 students
Graded student essays and assignments using Canvas
Held weekly office hours to be available for and coordinate with students
August 2020 - August 2022
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
Assisted with interviews and data collection for Dr. Abigail OcobockWorked collaboratively on a gendered time during the COVID-19 project with Dr. OcobockAssisted with various teaching tasks, including covering class when Dr. Ocobock was absentAssisted with Dr. Ocobock’s book project and provided a review of the literature around same-sex marriage and American courtship rituals, assisted with data entry
July 2017 - June 2020
Assistant Director of Admissions
Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL
Built and maintained positive relationships with prospective families and students throughout the college decision, financial aid, and enrollment process in order to assist in their transition to IWU and ultimately increase student yield
Provided leadership for recruitment and yield efforts by coordinating with the Dean of Admissions, Admissions Counselors, and University Marketing
Developed and implemented both on-campus and off-campus recruitment strategies such as territory management, community partnership, and event planning; maintained rigorous recruitment travel schedule as well as maintaining on-campus commitments
Led and supervised annual student internship program, facilitated training for incoming Admissions Counselors and interns, served on hiring committees
May 2017
Undergraduate Teaching Fellow Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL
Assisted faculty with May Term class titled “REL 337: Encountering Religious Diversity”
Worked with instructors to plan lessons and assign readings, graded student work, and led a lecture
Supervised students on cultural immersion trip to religious site visits in Chicago
August 2014 - May 2017
Generated topics for weekly “ReligiosiTEA” meetings and moderated the conversations
Planned and promoted campus-wide events and off-campus field trips related to religious literacy
Conducted independent research, managed projects for events, and facilitated discussions on campus
Editor-In-Chief of the 2015-2016 edition of Illinois Wesleyan’s Interfaith Journal, Encounters
Assisted in the development and installation of a Multifaith Meditation Room on campus
Lead coordinator for Light the Night 2016, a popular multifaith and multicultural holiday event
Compiled case studies and resources into a curriculum to train new Multifaith Ambassadors
Served as the student representative on Illinois Wesleyan’s 2016-17 Council on Religious Life
Multifaith Ambassador Evelyn Chapel Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL
August 2016 - April 2017
NUFP Fellow NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program
Deepened relationship with a mentor and worked collaboratively to develop personal and career goals
Explored cultural competency, ethical decision-making, relationships of power and privilege, and engaged citizenship in the context of Higher Education Administration
Achieved an understanding of NASPA’s organization and structure, as well as the history, mission, and purpose of student affairs within various institutional types
Co-presented on Engaging Religious Diversity in Higher Education as Student Affairs Professionals with mentor at NASPA Region IV-West/East Regional Conference 2016
Student Affairs Intern St. Scholastica’s College Manila, Philippines
June - August 2015
Part of the first cohort of students in IWU’s Freeman Asia Internship Program
Attained cross-cultural and inter-religious competency at a Filipino Catholic Women’s College
Developed curriculum for a student leadership training and facilitated the program
Compiled lecture material and taught Women’s Studies classes during the absence of regular instructor
Assisted College Outreach Center in programs and reviewing student projects
Partnered with Student Senate to develop and implement a successful fundraising campaign
Contact Me
Carly Sherman
Graduate Student