Our Research Teams
This research team focuses on how cultures in the Roman Catholic Church have facilitated the abuse of power. We seek to understand how the church's hierarchical and clericalist structures have led to the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable populations within the church. In previous years, we have paid special attention to how Catholic leaders have responded to the crisis of clergy-perpetuated sexual abuse (see "Past Projects"). Going forward, we will be developing research agendas that use interdisciplinary lenses to better recognize how power is being abused, while also offering concrete ways to work against the abuse and cultivate a healthier faith community.
School Spirit(s): Exploring sex and spirituality on campus
Does sexuality have anything to do with spirituality? Does sex? This research project—an ongoing project of the CHIRP (Collaborative Humanities Investigating Religion and Power) undergraduate research lab in queer theology—explores these questions. Its research aims to garner a deeper understanding of university students' spiritual and sexual beliefs and ethics, along with the ways in which those beliefs and ethics influence each other. The project involves theoretical and theological analysis of literature on these intersections and related topics (e.g. hookup culture, celibacy and abstinence, pornography use and religiosity), as well as qualitative interviews of college students on these themes.
We are currently recruiting interviewees for this study. If you would be willing to take part in a brief 60-minute interview to confidentially discuss how these topics intersect in your own life, please check out our Bookings page , or reach out to danielsb@up.edu.