I am the founding Director of the Institute for Diversity and Civic Life, where I write, teach, develop curriculum, and lead workshops on religious diversity, inclusion and equity, social justice, and ethics.<\/p>\n
I hold a PhD in North American religions from the University of Waterloo and a master\u2019s degree in ethics from Boston University. As a scholar of American religions, my work has analyzed pluralism, multiculturalism, and the ongoing formation of religion in a liberal democratic society. This includes the intersections of religion with citizenship, immigration, law, and education as well as issues of identity and the politics of representation.<\/p>\n
Through my work at IDCL, my research has focused on religious and cultural diversity in Texas. Recent projects have included research on anti-Muslim bias in Texas, representations of religion in Texas state social studies standards and textbooks, and what the study of religion in Texas can tell us about Texas as a geographic, social, and cultural place. I also work on pedagogies and approaches for teaching about religions, diversity, and inclusion as professional development education as well as qualitative research guidelines for public digital humanities projects.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m also an adjunct faculty member at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where I teach classes on ethnography and qualitative research methods. I previously directed educational programs on lived religions, peace-building, and social change at a New York-based interfaith organization. I live in Austin, TX with my husband and two children.<\/p>\n