This semester, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) relaunched the Center for the Study of Religion and Public Life, marking the return of a research hub dedicated to examining the intersection of faith, politics, and society.
Theology and politics Professor Ward Holder has been appointed as the center’s new director, and under his leadership, the center will focus on exploring the complex relationships between religion, civic engagement, and democracy. It will also tackle contemporary ethical and public policy issues, providing a platform for critical analysis and discussion.
"The Center serves as a hub for studying and promoting the understanding of how religion is shaped by public life and how, in turn, it influences public life," said Holder. The Center explores questions such as: What does religion mean to those who create public policy? How does culture influence religion? In the context of the United States, it also examines how religious beliefs, principles, and practices impact various aspects of civil society and beyond.
At the inaugural reception, held on September 13, 3024, Dr. Sheila Liotta, Vice President for Academic Affairs, offered opening remarks about the initiative. “When I first saw the proposal to activate the Center for the Study of Religion and Public Life, it was immediately apparent to me that this center is a perfect fit for us, an initiative that builds on our distinctiveness and provides a platform for Saint Anselm College to have a strong voice in even more important conversations than we already do,” remarked Liotta.
She continued, “With the distinguished status of the Institute of Politics and the politics department, along with our fundamental identity as a religious, specifically Catholic and Benedictine, institution, I believe we are the best-positioned institution in New Hampshire and arguably in the United States to examine how religious beliefs, principles, and practices have an impact on these and more aspects of civil society.”
The Center has seen strong interest in its initial programming, with several events reaching capacity. The first installment of the Centered Conversation Series, God Behind Bars: Religion and Incarcerated Persons, was standing-room only, highlighting a keen interest on campus in these types of discussions.
A key focus of the Center's research will be the Belief and Ballots podcast, which features interviews with scholars, activists, and religious leaders from a range of faith traditions. Each episode explores current events and political issues from a religious perspective, emphasizing how different faith communities can collaborate to address these challenges. Episodes can be found on Spotify and Apple.
Over the next few months, the center will be sharing more thought-provoking programming. In addition to a new podcast episode set to be released in December, Holder will host another Centered Conversation Series discussion focused on healthcare and faith. In March 2025, the center is also excited to present a panel discussion on the 2024 election at the American Elections Conference. Be sure to check out their Instagram page to stay up-to-date on program announcements.