Happenings
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2026 Meetings of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR)
Wonderful meetings in Denver, Colorado, for the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR) together with the Religion Research Association (RRA)! Highlights included a book panel on my new book, Our Lives, a feature table at the New Books… Continue reading
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NPR (KQED) Interview — “Sister, yesss!” What’s Behind the Viral Nun Podcast?
Podcasting religious sisters received ample attention this year — yet another example of Catholicism making its way into pop culture and contemporary intrigue. I had fun doing an interview with NPR’s KQED Show “Close All Tabs,” unpacking what the Dominican… Continue reading
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Our Lives covered in National Catholic Reporter
“If pressed for our views on abortion, most of us would struggle to be succinct. There are political edges to navigate, of course, but legal, medical, social and moral considerations as well. Rarely do our opinions lend themselves to single… Continue reading
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Book Release Day!
It’s here! Books can feel like they take *forever* — and then, one day, they are officially *out* in the world. It’s equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. Something I poured my heart into, but know can never be perfect nor… Continue reading
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Convening with ASR in NYC
Great to gather with other sociologists for the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association (ASA) and Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR) in New York City. My responsibilities were a bit lighter this year as immediate *past* president… Continue reading
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Holding a First Copy of My New Book!
An exciting day: I got to hold a copy of my newest book for the first time! Our Lives: What Abortion Attitudes Reveal About Who We Are As Americans will release officially with the University of California Press in just… Continue reading
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Welcoming “CoARC” to Tennessee
This week, participants selected for the CoARC (“Conceptions of Authority in Roman Catholicism”) Seminar gathered in Knoxville, Tennessee, to talk through paper drafts, exchange ideas across disciplines, and recover and reimagine authority and co-responsibility in a synodal Catholic Church. The… Continue reading
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Thinking globally with the Council on Foreign Relations
Wonderful to gather in New York City at the headquarters of the Council on Foreign Relations for the 2026 Religion and Foreign Policy Workshop. The multi-day convening introduced new ideas and new thinking partners on religion, gender, immigration, peace, governance,… Continue reading
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Appearance on PBS NewsHour
Survey findings lead in most headlines on everyday Americans’ abortion attitudes. Less often do we get a chance to dig deeper to understand what’s behind those patterns and trends — something that qualitative, in-depth interviewing is especially well-suited to do.… Continue reading
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Guest Interview on LAist (NPR station)
Amid all the talk about popes and presidents, I was happy to join LAist (Los Angeles’ NPR station) for a live Q & A on what’s precedent and unprecedented about President Trump & Pope Leo’s recent exchanges on war, peace,… Continue reading
