The Boniuk Institute is proud to announce that in April, Dr. John Inazu will receive the 2026 Boniuk Institute Senior Scholar Award.
This prestigious award honors scholars whose work has made significant and sustained contributions to the public understanding of religion and religious pluralism. “This award honors transformative voices shaping religion in public life,” says Dr. Elaine Howard Ecklund, Director of the Boniuk Institute. Past recipients include Marla Frederick and Tariq Modood. leading scholars whose research and public engagement have built institutions and shaped national and international conversations about religion and civic life.
Dr. Inazu, the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis, exemplifies these ideals through his groundbreaking interdisciplinary work. “Inazu models principled, public scholarship on law, religion, and pluralism,” notes Ecklund.
His books—Confident Pluralism and Learning to Disagree—advance a compelling vision for how communities can engage across difference while upholding mutual respect and civil dialogue. Inazu’s work is widely cited in both academic and public spheres, offering critical insights at a time when our democratic and civic institutions are increasingly strained. “His work deepens public understanding of religion and civic pluralism,” Ecklund adds.
The Boniuk Institute is honored to recognize Dr. Inazu’s contributions to building a more informed, inclusive, and engaged public discourse on religion, and looks forward to welcoming him to Rice University from April 2-3, 2026 for a campus-wide talk and reception in his honor.