Boniuk Institute
@boniukinstitute.bsky.social
The Boniuk Institute is a premier interdisciplinary research and scholarly institute at Rice University. We want to understand the conditions that lead to religious conflict, tolerance, and pluralism, and then help people apply our findings.
👏 Grateful to everyone who joined us today—your insights show just how vital collaborative, cross-disciplinary thinking is for this work!
November 22, 2025 at 9:40 PM
👏 Grateful to everyone who joined us today—your insights show just how vital collaborative, cross-disciplinary thinking is for this work!
They named challenges like polarization and institutional barriers, but also pointed to opportunities for inclusive, cross-field collaboration + accessible public scholarship.
November 22, 2025 at 9:40 PM
They named challenges like polarization and institutional barriers, but also pointed to opportunities for inclusive, cross-field collaboration + accessible public scholarship.
⭐ Highlights: Participants called for research that centers marginalized voices, addresses intern+ intrareligious conflict, and interrogates how pluralism is defined and practiced in varying contexts.
November 22, 2025 at 9:39 PM
⭐ Highlights: Participants called for research that centers marginalized voices, addresses intern+ intrareligious conflict, and interrogates how pluralism is defined and practiced in varying contexts.
📌 Kerby Goff framed the conversation around key questions about future research needs, challenges and opportunities in inter/multidisciplinary work, and the role of public scholarship.
November 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
📌 Kerby Goff framed the conversation around key questions about future research needs, challenges and opportunities in inter/multidisciplinary work, and the role of public scholarship.
📌 Elaine Howard Ecklund reminded us why this work matters: religion continues to shape identities, policies, and institutions globally—and understanding its role in peacemaking is essential. + the role of public scholarship.
November 22, 2025 at 9:37 PM
📌 Elaine Howard Ecklund reminded us why this work matters: religion continues to shape identities, policies, and institutions globally—and understanding its role in peacemaking is essential. + the role of public scholarship.
In closing:
1 The study of religion is essential
2 Help your institution understand the value you bring—be a resource.
3 Religious studies reaches public's others don’t, building bridges.
4 Reflect on your own empowerment and build sustainable practices for the long haul
#AARSBL25
1 The study of religion is essential
2 Help your institution understand the value you bring—be a resource.
3 Religious studies reaches public's others don’t, building bridges.
4 Reflect on your own empowerment and build sustainable practices for the long haul
#AARSBL25
November 22, 2025 at 12:20 AM
In closing:
1 The study of religion is essential
2 Help your institution understand the value you bring—be a resource.
3 Religious studies reaches public's others don’t, building bridges.
4 Reflect on your own empowerment and build sustainable practices for the long haul
#AARSBL25
1 The study of religion is essential
2 Help your institution understand the value you bring—be a resource.
3 Religious studies reaches public's others don’t, building bridges.
4 Reflect on your own empowerment and build sustainable practices for the long haul
#AARSBL25
Panelists described reframing work in neutral ways, widening the voices they engage & navigating a chilling effect on institutional messaging. Yet they were optimistic: more leaders speaking publicly, growing public + government interest, and new ops to share why religion in public life matters.
November 22, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Panelists described reframing work in neutral ways, widening the voices they engage & navigating a chilling effect on institutional messaging. Yet they were optimistic: more leaders speaking publicly, growing public + government interest, and new ops to share why religion in public life matters.
Hour 3: Communicating Your Scholarship
Justine Ellis led a conversation w Terrence Johnson, Brett Krutzsch, Elizabeth R Platt, and Isaac Weiner on how orgs comm their mission & scholarship.Many walk a tightrope bt saying too much and too little in climates that feel less hospitable to academic work.
Justine Ellis led a conversation w Terrence Johnson, Brett Krutzsch, Elizabeth R Platt, and Isaac Weiner on how orgs comm their mission & scholarship.Many walk a tightrope bt saying too much and too little in climates that feel less hospitable to academic work.
November 22, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Hour 3: Communicating Your Scholarship
Justine Ellis led a conversation w Terrence Johnson, Brett Krutzsch, Elizabeth R Platt, and Isaac Weiner on how orgs comm their mission & scholarship.Many walk a tightrope bt saying too much and too little in climates that feel less hospitable to academic work.
Justine Ellis led a conversation w Terrence Johnson, Brett Krutzsch, Elizabeth R Platt, and Isaac Weiner on how orgs comm their mission & scholarship.Many walk a tightrope bt saying too much and too little in climates that feel less hospitable to academic work.
Celebrations:
• Small grants = big impact
• Collaborative relationships
• Community events offering real resources
Pressing Issues:
• Security
• Message clarity
• Maintaining boundaries
• Small grants = big impact
• Collaborative relationships
• Community events offering real resources
Pressing Issues:
• Security
• Message clarity
• Maintaining boundaries
November 22, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Celebrations:
• Small grants = big impact
• Collaborative relationships
• Community events offering real resources
Pressing Issues:
• Security
• Message clarity
• Maintaining boundaries
• Small grants = big impact
• Collaborative relationships
• Community events offering real resources
Pressing Issues:
• Security
• Message clarity
• Maintaining boundaries
Hour 2: Breakout Sessions
Participants gathered in small groups to name pressing issues, challenges, and reasons to celebrate across the field.
Challenges:
• Need for support + community
• Limited resources
• Framing the value of the work
Participants gathered in small groups to name pressing issues, challenges, and reasons to celebrate across the field.
Challenges:
• Need for support + community
• Limited resources
• Framing the value of the work
November 22, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Hour 2: Breakout Sessions
Participants gathered in small groups to name pressing issues, challenges, and reasons to celebrate across the field.
Challenges:
• Need for support + community
• Limited resources
• Framing the value of the work
Participants gathered in small groups to name pressing issues, challenges, and reasons to celebrate across the field.
Challenges:
• Need for support + community
• Limited resources
• Framing the value of the work
Leaders shared a common theme: strong relationships keep the work honest. Staying close to community partners, students, and constituents helps organizations stay responsive and relevant.
Collaboration expands resources, sharpens messaging, and reminds us we’re not alone in challenges or successes.
Collaboration expands resources, sharpens messaging, and reminds us we’re not alone in challenges or successes.
November 22, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Leaders shared a common theme: strong relationships keep the work honest. Staying close to community partners, students, and constituents helps organizations stay responsive and relevant.
Collaboration expands resources, sharpens messaging, and reminds us we’re not alone in challenges or successes.
Collaboration expands resources, sharpens messaging, and reminds us we’re not alone in challenges or successes.
Joseph Edmonds opened the wkshp w Harold Morales, Tiffany Truett, & Jonathan VanAntwerpen discussing the state of orgs working at the interx of religion & pub life. How do we promote productive narratives? What’s more effective—fear-based or hopeful messaging? what does it look like to ask for help?
November 22, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Joseph Edmonds opened the wkshp w Harold Morales, Tiffany Truett, & Jonathan VanAntwerpen discussing the state of orgs working at the interx of religion & pub life. How do we promote productive narratives? What’s more effective—fear-based or hopeful messaging? what does it look like to ask for help?