David Eagle

Background

About David Eagle

As Associate Research Professor of Global Health and Sociology, I lead the Religion and Social Change Lab (RaSCL), a team of researchers and practitioners who use the tools of social science to deepen understanding, spark conversations, and develop resources for the training and formation of faith leaders and their communities. We work collaboratively with the Duke Clergy Health Initiative (CHI) to promote clergy well-being across the lifecycle and shifting cultural landscapes. I am an expert on the health of religious clergy, the changing role of churches in North American society, political polarization and the implications of these trends for the professional training of ministers. I have done significant work on burnout, depression and social support. A major strand of my research explores how structural racism impacts the experience of Black clergy. I am Principal Investigator of The Seminary to Early Ministry Study, a multi-year, multi-cohort study seeking to understand how seminary impacts the health, occupational wellbeing, theology, and career trajectories of students. Methodologically, I am skilled in the collection and analysis of survey data, including longitudinal and social network data. My research is published in the American Journal of Sociology, the Journal of Religion and Health, the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Social Networks, the Journal of Social History, the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, and the Review of Religious Research. In addition to my academic role, I am also the owner of a consulting firm that offers contract research services to clients across various sectors. This allows me to apply my research skills to real-world problems and contribute to evidence-based decision-making. My passion for global health and sociology drives me to pursue research that can make a positive impact on communities around the world.