Elaine Howard Ecklund is the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, Professor of Sociology, and director of the Religion and Public Life Program at Rice University. Over the past several years, Elaine’s research has explored how scientists in different nations understand religion, ethics, and gender. Most recently Elaine and John H. Evans of University of California San Diego have received a $2.9 million grant in order to create a new subfield of sociological research examining how identities and beliefs are related to attitudes about science and religion. This regranting initiative is funded by the Templeton Religion Trust and coordinated by The Issachar Fund. In addition to distributing funds for others to conduct research, Elaine will lead a project on race, gender, and the science and religion of the human body.

Elaine is the author of six books, over 80 research articles, and numerous op-eds. She has received grants and awards from organizations including the National Science Foundation, Russell Sage Foundation, John Templeton Foundation, Templeton World Charity Foundation, and Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Her latest book is Why Science and Faith Need Each Other: Eight Shared Values That Move Us beyond Fear.