Wheatley Seminar on Religion and Politics
Apply to the Wheatley Seminar on Religion and Politics
Are you a graduate student in Political Science or Sociology with a keen interest in the intersection of religion and public life? The Wheatley Seminar on Religion and Politics is your opportunity to gain advanced methodological training, access new data sources, and engage with leading experts in the field. We are looking for 12-18 talented graduate students with a strong interest in religion and politics, a commitment to academic excellence, and a desire to contribute to scholarly work in this field.
Why Attend?
Many PhD programs do not provide coursework or faculty mentors that train students on religion and politics. The Wheatley Seminar will provide graduate-level training to enhance your research skills in the study of religion and politics. Topics will include:
- Religious Diversity, Divisions, and Pluralism
- Exploring Data Sources for Religion Research
- Measurement of Religion in Surveys and Classification of Religious Groups
- Measurement of Religious Behavior and Belief
- Studying Specific Religious Traditions
- Collaborative group projects with workshop participants and a faculty mentor
The focus will be primarily on the quantitative study of religion and politics in the American context. However, we encourage scholars who study other contexts and/or employ qualitative or mixed methods to apply.
Program Faculty
The Wheatley Seminar on Religion and Politics will be led by four professors with expertise in the field.
- Quin Monson, Professor of Political Science, Fellow at the Wheatley Institute, and a Senior Scholar at the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, all at Brigham Young University. He is the co-author numerous articles and of Seeking the Promised Land: Mormons and American Politics (with David Campbell and John Green). He also has expertise in survey research methods and is a founding partner of Y2 Analytics, a private polling and data analytics firm.
- J. Tobin Grant, Professor of Political Science at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. Tobin is former editor in chief of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. He is committed to graduate education and has chaired dissertations on religion and politics. Tobin has experience with public-facing scholarship through his work with Religion News Service, the Washington Post, and other outlets.
- Rebecca Glazier, Professor, School of Public Affairs, University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Rebecca is the Director of the Little Rock Congregations Study, a long-term, multi-method, community-based research project in Little Rock, AR. She is the author of Faith and Community: How Engagement Strengthens Members, Places of Worship, and Society (Temple University Press, 2024). https://www.rebeccaglazier.net/
- Samuel Perry, Sam K. Viersen Presidential Professor of Sociology, University of Oklahoma. Sam’s current research focuses on the intersection of American religion, politics, race, and families. He is the author or co-author of numerous articles and five books, including Taking America Back for God (with Andrew Whitehead), The Flag and the Cross (with Philip Gorski), and his most recent book, Religion for Realists: Why We All Need the Scientific Study of Religion.
Collaborative Projects
Students who attend the Wheatley Seminar will have the opportunity to work in a small group with other students under the mentorship of one of these four faculty members. Collaborative projects during the seminar might focus on race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, civic and community engagement, Christian Nationalism, social movements, political behavior, or policy attitudes, among other topics. Accepted students will have the opportunity to register their interests and will be grouped with students with similar interests and a faculty member with relevant expertise.
Our Commitment to You
We welcome scholars from all perspectives, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage participation by individuals of all or no religious traditions. The seminar will be a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants.
Religion and politics are intertwined with race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and other identities. The seminar is committed to advancing the study of religion and politics through the development of scholars from a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, and identities. We reject any discriminatory conduct by seminar participants, including on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, ability, and/or sexual orientation. Brigham Young University, the sponsor and host of the seminar, takes seriously its commitment to treat everyone with dignity and respect, as the university believes that each individual is a beloved child of God.
Location, Dates, and Funding
The seminar will be hosted on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah from June 16-21, 2025. Participants will travel to Provo on Monday, June 16th and depart on Saturday, June 21st. Lodging and food provided on site. Travel expenses will be covered through a travel stipend awarded to each participant.
To apply, submit:
- Letter of Intent / Statement of Interest: Detail your research interests, how the seminar aligns with your current and future work, and what you hope to gain from the experience.
- Curriculum Vita: Upload a copy of your current vita.
- Research Writing Sample: Provide a sample of your research writing (up to 20 pages), preferably focused on religion.
- Contact Information of a Reference: The name, email, and phone number of one faculty member who can attest to your scholarly abilities and potential for growth.
We will begin accepting applications on March 1, 2025. Applications received by March 31, 2025 will receive full consideration. Selections for the program will be made before April 30, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of scholars specializing in religion and politics. The selection process will focus on your potential to contribute to seminar discussions, the quality and relevance of your research, and your commitment to advancing scholarship in the field.
Questions?
Questions about the seminar can be sent to religionseminar@byu.edu.