sociology

April 22, 2025

Mourning Pope Francis

We knew the day would come eventually — and how perfect that it came on Easter Monday — but the death of Pope Francis broke my heart, all the same. I treasure the opportunity I had to interact with him… Continue reading
October 22, 2023

Accepting the RRA Outstanding Applied Research Award

While attending the annual meetings of the Religious Research Association (RRA) and Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR), I was honored to accept the inaugural Outstanding Applied Research Award “In recognition of your dedication to advancing knowledge through… Continue reading
September 15, 2023

Filming Junipero Serra: Statue of Limitations

I had a wonderful time participating as a scholar-expert for a new film by Paulist Productions, Junipero Serra: Statue of Limitations. The documentary brings a compelling look at the complicated legacy of Saint Junipero Serra, raising questions about historical preservation… Continue reading
May 14, 2014

My Interview with WBIR about LGBT Workplace Rights

A recent Human Rights Campaign report that found that more than half of gay employees hide their identities while at work. Knoxville’s WBIR-TV Live at Five invited me in-studio to provide some sociological context for understanding LGBT rights in the workplace. Click… Continue reading
April 3, 2014

My Interview in Marginalia Review of Books

On the occasion of Faithful Revolution’s release in paperback, I sat down with Phillip Sherman of Marginalia Review of Books (a Los Angeles Review of Books Channel). We talked about the emergence and impact of Voice of the Faithful as… Continue reading
March 14, 2014

Contemporary Sociology Review of Faithful Revolution

The latest issue of Contemporary Sociology reviews my book Faithful Revolution: How Voice of the Faithful Is Changing the Church, complimenting its relevance for the study of intrainstitutional social movements (a term I coin in the book): “As part of a… Continue reading
January 22, 2014

Cohabitation, Babies, and Diversity in Families

Knoxville’s WBIR TV invited me into the station to comment on new data revealing a further decline in “shotgun weddings” and increase in cohabitation. Continue reading
October 16, 2013

Visualizing New Research in Religion

The Society for the Scientific Study of Religion will soon hold its annual meeting in Boston (Nov 8-10). As the 2013 Program Chair, I know well the variety of innovative research on religion that will make this meeting great. Visualized… Continue reading
September 19, 2013

Pope Francis and “Elite” Interviewing in Social Science

We received today from the Jesuit Catholic magazine America a gift, in the form of a 12,000 word, candid interview with Pope Francis. Read the full article here. Sociologists employ a variety of methods to better understand the social world;… Continue reading