Religion and Public Life Center

Religion is a central way that people make meaning of their experiences, and is fundamental to other important social factors, such as race, nationality, and even how we view science. Whether or not you are personally religious, it is impossible to ignore religion's importance in the social world.

The Boniuk Institute's Religion and Public Life Center uses research to help people understand each other, foster dialogue, break down stereotypes, and work together more effectively for the common good.

History of the Religion and Public Life Center

The Religion and Public Life Center was founded in 2010 as the Religion and Public Life Program by Rice University sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund. Over the next twelve years, the RPLP grew via major research funding and projects in the areas of religion and public life. The program developed a strong cohort of faculty and resarchers through its RPLP Fellows Program, who are now Boniuk Institute Alumni Scholars.

In 2022, the Religion and Public Life Program became part of the Boniuk Institute, with Rachel Schneider, a scholar of religion, as its director. In 2024, the program became an official center at Rice--the Religion and Public Life Center. The RPLC's current director (since 2025) is Todd Ferguson, a sociologist of religion.

The goal of the Religion and Public Life Center is to use the best research on religion to build common ground for the common good. The center continues to generate productive discussions about the most pressing issues related to religion through its innovative outreach initiatives.