Tricia C. Bruce, PhD

Sociologist. Author. Researcher. Speaker.

Tricia C. Bruce, PhD, is a Senior Research Fellow with the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, a 2025-2026 Affiliate of the Center for the Study of Religion & Society at the University of Notre Dame, President-Elect of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and a five-time marathoner. She served previously as President of the Association for the Sociology of Religion, a papal-appointed consultor to the Synod on Synodality, and a tenured professor. She is the author of numerous award-winning books, articles, and reports in the sociology of religion and U.S. Catholicism.

Happenings

  • Seminar and Call for Papers — Conceptions of Authority in Roman Catholicism

    The 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality revived an ecclesial focus on collaboration, co-responsibility, and leadership in a Roman Catholic Church shared by men, women, lay people, religious, and ordained ministers, together. Invigorated by such timeless questions in a timely moment, I’m… Continue reading

    Seminar and Call for Papers — Conceptions of Authority in Roman Catholicism

  • Vatican Study Commission on the Female Diaconate

    The Vatican has released a summary report, delivered to Pope Leo, regarding the latest study commission on women’s potential access to the diaconate. The report identifies two opposing theological “schools” and “the lack of convergence on fundamental doctrinal and pastoral… Continue reading

    Vatican Study Commission on the Female Diaconate

  • Alive Catholicism

    Preparing my keynote address for the third “Lived Catholicism” conference hosted by Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies, I found myself pondering the connections, overlaps, or distinctions between what we might call and observe empirically “lived Catholicism” and what writers… Continue reading

    Alive Catholicism

  • AAR Panel on Applied Religious Studies

    Great to connect with emerging scholars from the American Academy of Religion for a virtual panel on “Bridging Academy with Community.” Organizer Hans Gustafson brought together a great set of panelists with diverse experiences connecting their work on religion to… Continue reading

    AAR Panel on Applied Religious Studies

  • ASR & Synodality in Commonweal

    The Symposium on the Future of Catholicism, held alongside the meetings of the Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR), features centrally in an article written by Catholic journalist Heidi Schlumpf for Commonweal. Schlumpf draws out ways that synodality matters… Continue reading

  • ASR 2025 in Chicago!

    Wonderful to gather in Chicago with colleagues and new connections for the 2025 meetings of the Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR). I was honored to serve as ASR’s 2024-2025 President, delivering this year’s Presidential address. The gathering also… Continue reading

    ASR 2025 in Chicago!

  • Forum on the Future of Catholicism at ASR 2025

    As current President of the Association of the Sociology of Religion (ASR), I’m thrilled to be co-organizing a forum within this year’s ASR conference on “The Future of Catholicism: Roots and Trajectories.” Thanks to the University of Southern California’s Institute… Continue reading

  • SSSR Webinar –From Francis to Leo XIV: Looking into a Post “Who Am I to Judge” Catholic Church

    Prompted by insightful (and award-winning!) analyses by my doctoral student Lucas Sharma, SJ, the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR) hosted a webinar inviting reflections on transitions in the papacy, attitudes toward homosexuality, and the priesthood. The full… Continue reading

    SSSR Webinar –From Francis to Leo XIV: Looking into a Post “Who Am I to Judge” Catholic Church

  • Guest Panelist on “Inside Tennessee”

    I was back in the studio with WBIR as a panelist for the Sunday morning show “Inside Tennessee” this week, contemplating the election of Pope Leo XIV and future of the Catholic Church. While much remains to be seen regarding… Continue reading

    Guest Panelist on “Inside Tennessee”

  • Interview on the Election of Pope Leo XIV

    Everything is new and little is known — but what an exciting moment to be a sociologist of religion attentive to changes in the US and global Catholic Church. Having shared space, croissants, and company with Cardinal Robert Prevost during… Continue reading

    Interview on the Election of Pope Leo XIV

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