Ph.D., Sociology, University of California, San Diego
S.T.L., M.Div. Weston Jesuit School of Theology

Michael Agliardo’s research focus is environmental sociology, the sociology of religion, and the sociology of culture. He also has an area focus on China. 

Agliardo has been a visiting member of the Department of Sociology since 2018. While at SCU, he completed data collection for a five-country study of the reception of Laudato si’, the encyclical of Pope Francis that addresses environmental issues, social justice, and their intimate connection. He is working with colleagues to write up the results of his recent research, and he currently teaches Environmental Sociology. 

Agliardo also serves as executive director of the US-China Catholic Association, a California-based nonprofit that works to build fraternal ties between Catholics in the U.S. and in the People’s Republic of China. 

Originally from the grand metropolis of Mamaroneck, New York, Fr. Agliardo grew up in a working class Irish, Italian, and Black American community. The first in his family to attend college, he graduated with a degree in history from Harvard. He then entered the Jesuits. He enjoys backpacking and cycling, even having biked twice across the country. In addition to having a degree in sociology, he is one of the few Jesuits in the U.S. to hold an advanced open water certificate in scuba diving.