ASA Winter Symposium 2024 Watch Party

Elaine Howard Ecklund is the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, Professor of Sociology, and
director of the Boniuk Institute at Rice University. As a sociologist of religion, science, & work, she
is particularly interested in social change and how institutions change, especially when individuals
leverage aspects of their religious, race, and gender identities to change institutions. Over the past
several years Elaine’s research has explored how scientists in different nations understand religion,
ethics, and gender; religion at work; and the overlap between racial and religious discrimination in
workplaces. Most recently Elaine is co-directing a $2.9 million grant in order to create a new field of
sociological research examining science and religion. Elaine has received funding for her research
from the National Science Foundation, Russell Sage Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Issachar Fund,
John Templeton Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust, and Templeton World Charities Foundation.
She is the author (with students and colleagues) of over 100 journal articles and seven books,
including Why Science and Faith Need Each Other: Eight Shared Values That Move Us Beyond Fear.
In 2018 she gave the Gifford Lecture at the University of Edinburgh.