Research Director | Professor | Speaker | Author

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

I am a professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a member of the Middle Eastern Studies Faculty. I research religion and politics, US foreign policy, political communication, and pedagogy. Since 2012, I have directed a long-term, community-engaged research project: the Little Rock Congregations Study

My book, "Connecting in the Online Classroom: Building Rapport between Teachers and Students" was published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2021. If you are interested in a workshop or webinar related to this book or my other research, check out my Speaking & Consulting page.

My new book, "Faith and Community: How Engagement Strengthens Members, Places of Worship, and Society" is based on more than a decade of multi-method, community-based research in Little Rock, Arkansas, for which I was awarded the American Political Science Association's Distinguished Award for Civic and Community Engagement. It will be published by Temple University Press in 2024.

For the summarized version of my academic life, check out my curriculum vitae. You can also view my scholar profile on the Women Also Know Stuff site or find my non-academic resume here