A Premier Interdisciplinary Institute
In 2023, under new university leadership, the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance received an expanded charge--to become a premier interdisciplinary research and scholarly institute focusing on religious pluralism and tolerance. To that end, the Institute embarked on a lengthy strategic planning process, the result of which is a three-part plan that will move us toward that goal.
The Institute:
- Discovers new knowledge through original research
- Convenes though leaders across disciplines and sectors
- Disseminates knowledge based on our research among relevant local, national, and global communities in order to promote meaningful change
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN
Explore the Plan
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Discover Through Research
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Global Research
Global Religious Pluralism Initiative
The initiative will be a multidisciplinary effort to analyze and understand how the conditions and consequences of religious pluralism and conflict shape and are shaped by interactions, practices, policies, discourse, and trends at each level of society and around the world.
Global Re-Granting Initiative
We will sponsor original research from scholars conducting global studies of religious diversity, collaboration, and conflict at the intersection of societal levels. Findings will be synthesized and used to make research-informed contributions to our understanding of how religious pluralism and tolerance work across nations and contexts, and how to foster socially beneficial pluralism and reduce religious conflict.
Local Research
Mapping the Civic Capacity of Houston's Religious Communities Initiative
We will investigate how religious communities approach inequality and how they see religious pluralism and tolerance as relevant to their work. This focus on a local context will allow the Institute to apply its research and scholarship directly, while at the same time increasing the civic capacity of religious communities in its home city of Houston, Texas.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CURRENT PROJECTS
Increasing Research Capacity Through Collaboration
Religion and Public Life Center (RPLC) and a Center on Religion, Science, Health, and Environment (CORSHE)
To broaden the Boniuk Institute's research focus and intellectual discovery, the Institute is developing two research centers comprised of multiple scholars and faculty at Rice University and beyond.
The Baker Institute's Religion and Public Policy Program (RP3) and Rice University's Program in Jewish Studies
The Institute has also entered into partnerships with programs focused on the study of religion.
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Convene Top Minds
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Convenings
Annual Scholarly Convenings
These convenings will host both emerging and established scholars to energize the intellectual climate around issues of religious pluralism and spur faculty from different disciplines to work together to study this issue.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SCHOLARLY CONVENINGS
Senior Scholar Award
Each spring, the Boniuk Institute will host a Senior Scholar for a fellowship and award that honors excellence in public scholarship on religious pluralism and tolerance and/ or work to combat religious conflict and discrimination.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SENIOR SCHOLAR AWARD
Bryan J. and June B. Zwan Visiting Distinguished Scholar Series
In collaboration with Rice University's Religion and Public Policy Program at the Baker Institute, we will host a conference series that brings high-level scholars to the Rice University campus to speak on issues related to religion and public policy.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ZWAN DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR SERIES
Scholars
Graduate and Undergraduate Research Scholars and Postdoctoral Fellows
The Boniuk Institute will provide opportunities for academic and professional growth in all aspects of the research and outreach process.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR STUDENT TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Reading Religion Graduate Salon
Students explore current and relevant books on issues related to religious pluralism, violence, and discrimination, as well as religion in the public sphere from different disciplinary perspectives. As a group, they examine the ways in which each text expands our understanding of these topics and receive practical training in communicating scholarly topics to a public audience.
Scholars Meeting
The Boniuk Institute Religion and Public Life Center's Scholars Meeting serves junior scholars by allowing undergraduate students and postdoctoral researchers opportunities to present works in progress and providing them with opportunities to connect with senior scholars. These meetings also serve to build a visible community of scholars and acclimate junior scholars to the development of cross-disciplinary connections.
Advisory Boards
Faculty Advisory Board
The Boniuk Institute will expand its Faculty Advisory Board, which is comprised of Rice University scholars from different disciplines and serves as a robust resource to Institute leadership. Faculty advisors also select fellowship recipients and contribute advice and oversight to Institute centers.
External Advisory Board
The Institute will also expand its External Advisory Board, which is comprised of a diverse group of professionals, community leaders, and practitioners from across a wide variety of sectors and domains, who serve as a resource to the Institute. External advisors also provide advice to the director on matters of external relations, and public and community affairs.
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Disseminate Knowledge
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Leading Conversations with Educators and Thought Leaders
Educator Professional Development Workshops
These workshops provide continuing education in religious literacy to secondary social studies educators and student-facing professionals, exploring topics in religion via classroom-ready scholarly training sessions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
Religious and Civic Leader Gatherings
The Boniuk Institute Religious and Public Life Center's Religious and Civic Leader Gatherings bring together faith and community leaders in an intimate setting to discuss timely issues, engage with Institute research, and share resources.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE GATHERINGS
Creating Public Discourse
Podcast
The Institute and its Religion and Public Life Center will continue to produce the Religion Unmuted podcast, which explores ways that religion is lived in the world.
Communications
Regular public communications include an Annual Report, a Newsletter, a Website, and social media presence. Each of these outlets highlights the work of the Institute and its centers, shares Institute research, reviews current literature on relevant topics, and promotes upcoming events.