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Spiritual Yearning in Science (SYS), 2023-2026
Recent sociological research on scientists has dispelled the myth that scientists are hostile towards religion. Even though scientists in many countries are less religious than the general public, only a minority of them see science and religion as being in conflict, and even among atheist scientists, there seems to be an openness to spirituality. But our best research to date tells us little about the existential concerns and spiritual yearnings of non-religious scientists. How, if at all, do non-religious scientists in different national contexts experience and respond to spiritual yearnings—i.e., the desire for deeper connection to self, others, nature, and God or a higher power? How does spiritual yearning fit within their "ultimate concerns" and their pursuit of a more meaningful life? What factors, within the practice of science or elsewhere in their lives, facilitate and inhibit such spiritual yearning? To answer these questions, we will conduct in-depth interviews with physicists and biologists from the US, UK, Italy, and India. We will also develop a podcast and YouTube video series, as well as organize public events in the four countries.
religions And Innovations, 2023-2025
What does “innovation” mean within the context of religion? How do various religious traditions understand and pursue innovation? To what extent is innovation a helpful concept for making sense of religious change? How might we understand success and failure in innovation within the domain of religion/spirituality? What factors enable and constrain such innovation? And how might religion/spirituality as an object of inquiry shed new light on our knowledge of innovation? This project aims to develop a new research agenda to identify key questions at the intersection of religion and innovation, through consultations and interdisciplinary workshops with scholars and experts from diverse fields.
Work and Well-Being in Science: An International Study (WWB), 2020-2023
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, research indicated a crisis of well-being in science. Surveys showed high levels of burnout among scientists, including higher levels of bullying and harassment than in the general populations and increasing stress and burnout. The global mental health crisis caused by the pandemic likely exacerbates this problem. It is crucial during this time to assess the well-being of scientists and the institutional factors that affect it. The study examines topics such as meaning and identity in work, the role of aesthetics in scientific work, scientists’ assessments of their workplace cultures, and the ways in which scientists’ work and life have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have conducted the largest international survey of scientists’ well-being and the first empirical study of the role of aesthetics in science. We studied scientists from physics and biology departments in four countries: India, Italy, the UK, and the US. Nearly 3500 scientists completed our survey, and we conducted 215 in-depth interviews to gain a deeper understanding of scientists’ experiences. Visit the project website here to learn more.
National Study of Catholic Priests (NSCP), 2020-2023
There has been proper attention in recent years to the harmful effects of the clergy sex abuse crisis on the Church. But aside from anecdotal accounts, we don’t know much about how our priests have been affected by the crisis. How has it affected their well-being, sense of vocation, and trust in bishops? To work effectively toward healing wounds and rebuilding trust, we first need an accurate assessment of the present state of affairs. We are conducting a nationally representative survey of priests around the country followed by 100 in-depth interviews. Data from the study will provide an in-depth look at priests’ experiences and opinions, and will provide us insights into how to move forward to rebuild trust. Visit the project website here to learn more.
Mental Health in Congregations Study (MHCS), 2018-2021
This project aims to significantly improve our understanding of how religious communities shape mental health outcomes of members. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five Americans lives with a mental illness, and only a fraction of those in need receive help. Nationally representative data suggests that religious leaders are the first recourse for many Americans with mental health struggles. But we know little about how faith leaders respond and why, or how those who approach them consequently fare. For the benefit of those millions of Americans approaching faith leaders and communities with mental health concerns, a stronger research effort is required to facilitate communication between the mental health sector and faith communities. We also need to better understand the relationship between faith leaders’ mental health literacy and the support systems available in congregations for people struggling with mental health issues. The MHCS project adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining congregation surveys and leader interviews in four states (DC, MD, VA, and TX) and also examines the effects of congregations on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. See here for a summary of results.