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

  • On Technology, Twitter, Responsibility, Social Movements, & Social Change

    Thanks to The Human Show podcast for the invitation to discuss sociological perspectives on social change as it interacts with technological change. While movement tactics have evolved since the mobilization of Catholics I wrote about in my first book, Faithful… Continue reading

  • Announcing the release of American Parishes: Remaking Local Catholicism!

    My latest book is out!! I’m thrilled to share that the volume I coedited with Gary Adler and Brian Starks – born of The American Parish Project (TAPP) – is now available! American Parishes: Remaking Local Catholicism was just published… Continue reading

    Announcing the release of American Parishes: Remaking Local Catholicism!

  • Presentation at the International Sociology of Religion Conference in Barcelona

    It was a pleasure to join sociologists of religion from around the globe for the 2019 International Sociology of Religion (ISSR) Conference in Barcelona. I along with colleagues Wojciech Sadlon (Institute for Catholic Church Statistics, Poland), Roberta Ricucci (University of… Continue reading

  • Keynote at the University of Notre Dame

    Thanks to the McGrath Institute of the University of Notre Dame for the invitation to offer a keynote address unpacking what we know (and don’t know) about Americans’ views on life and human dignity topics. This was also an opportunity… Continue reading

  • Review of Parish and Place in JSSR

    The latest issue of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion features a review of my third book, Parish and Place: Making Room for Diversity in the American Catholic Church. Brett Hoover describes the book as “the work of… Continue reading

  • Podcast Appearance on You Have Permission

    Thanks to host Dan Koch for the invitation to join his podcast, You have Permission! Our hour+ conversation was multi-fold, leading with questions about what it means to stay in a religious tradition while still raising critiques and suggestions for… Continue reading

  • Seattle University Lecture & Discussions

    I thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit to Seattle University at the invitation of SU’s Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture. My invited lecture, “Scandal, Structure, & Renewal: Sociological Perspectives on Change in the Catholic Church” focused on how institutions shape… Continue reading

    Seattle University Lecture & Discussions

  • New Books Podcast Appearance

    Thanks to the New Books network of podcasts and host Crawford Gribben of Queen’s University Belfast for the opportunity to talk about my book, Parish and Place: Making Room for Diversity in the American Catholic Church. From the show summary:… Continue reading

  • Snapshot of Religion in the U.S.

    I enjoyed my conversation with Rev. Paul John Roach on the radio show/podcast World Spirituality, during which we discuss sociological dimensions of religion, Catholicism, social change, and more. Listen here, or on your favorite podcast player! Continue reading

  • Pre-order my newest book, American Parishes!

    The page proofs are in and the presses are underway…ready your bookshelves for my new coedited volume, American Parishes: Remaking Local Catholicism! This book is the product of the multi-year “American Parish Project” I co-led with Gary Adler and Brian… Continue reading

    Pre-order my newest book, American Parishes!

engaging A Sociological Perspective

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