Senior Scholar Award

Recognizing Excellence in Public Scholarship on Religion

Each spring, the Boniuk Institute hosts a senior scholar for a fellowship and award. Awardees have made outstanding scholarly contributions to the public understanding of religion broadly as well as pluralism and tolerance. Award winners are invited to the Institute to participate in a variety of programs and give a public lecture followed by a reception in their honor.

2026 Boniuk Institute Senior Scholar John Inazu

The Boniuk Institute is proud to announce that Dr. John Inazu will receive the 2026 Senior Scholar Award.

Dr. Inazu will join the ranks of other distinguished scholars whose research and public engagement have shaped national and international conversations about religion and civil life. His work exemplifies these ideals through his groundbreaking interdisciplinary work in law, religion, and civil life.

Watch remarks by the 2025 Boniuk Institute Senior Scholar Dr. Tariq Modood here

Announcing the 2026 Senior Scholar John Inazu

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.

Past Senior Scholar

2025 Senior Scholar Tariq Modood

At a standing room-only event, the Boniuk Institute presented sociologist Tariq Modood with the 2025 Senior Scholar Award in honor of his prolific academic scholarship and commitment to public engagement promoting knowledge and understanding--particularly of minority faith communities--of religious tolerance and pluralism.

Announcing the 2025 Senior Scholar Dr. Tariq Modood

Meet Dr. Tariq Modood, the 2025 Boniuk Institute Senior Scholar.

2024 Senior Scholar Marla F. Frederick

In March 2024, Harvard Divinity School Dean Marla F. Frederick visited the Boniuk Institute to receive the inaugural Senior Scholar award. She was honored for her leadership in scholarship; her outstanding contributions to the public understanding of religion, pluralism, and religious tolerance; and her mentorship of the next generation of religion scholars.

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