Peters named 2018 PRRI Public Fellow

Professor of Religious Studies Rebecca Todd Peters has been selected as a member of the first cohort of public fellows for the Public Religion Research Institute. 

Peters was one of eight female scholars from a variety of disciplines to be chosen by the nonprofit, nonpartisan institute as a PRRI Public Fellow. The fellows “will engage in data-driven dialogue, thought leadership, commentary and teaching on the interplay of religion, politics and culture” as they work alongside PRRI researchers and staff, PRRI announced. 

“We’re excited about this new program supporting these distinguished scholars as they further the public conversation on issues critical to our culture and society,” said PRRI CEO Robert P. Jones. “We are also looking with great anticipation to the creative collaborations that will emerge from their interdisciplinary backgrounds in sociology, political science, religious studies and law.”

Among the accolades noted in Peters’ selection for the fellowship: 

Her work as a feminist social ethicist is focused on globalization, economic, environmental, and reproductive justice. Her most recent book, Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice outlines how the justification framework shaping current American discussion of abortion is fatally flawed and argues that the framework of Reproductive Justice offers a more ethically robust opportunity for public dialogue.

She is the author or editor of seven other books, including the award-winning In Search of the Good Life: The Ethics of Globalization (Continuum, 2004). Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA), she has been active denominationally and ecumenically for more than twenty-five years and currently represents the PC(USA) as a member of the Faith and Order Standing Commission of the World Council of Churches. She is an Elon Senior Faculty Research Fellow for 2018-20 and the 2018 recipient of the Walter Wink Scholar-Activist Award from Auburn Seminary.