About

Elaine Howard Ecklund holds a Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences at Rice University

Elaine Howard Ecklund is a sociologist and author who explores how individuals and groups bring their deepest values—especially religious and ethical commitments—into their work, leadership, and public lives.

Elaine holds a Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences at Rice University, where she is a Professor of Sociology and directs the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance.

Known for building interdisciplinary teams and convening global gatherings, Elaine brings clarity to topics often defined by division rather than dialogue. Her work is widely recognized for revealing how pluralism—when understood and supported—can be an asset rather than a liability in professional life. She has published nine books, over 150 academic articles, and led nearly 20 national and international research projects on religion, science, institutional culture, and religious pluralism in workplaces. Her current work focuses on religious diversity in the workplace, mentoring as a model of institutional leadership, and how faith and science intersect in public life.

Her latest books include Religion in a Changing Workplace (OUP, 2024) and Working for Better (IVP, 2025) as well as Varieties of Atheism in Science (OUP, 2021) and Why Science and Faith Need Each Other (Brazos, 2020).

The Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, Team Photo

Elaine is interested in supporting institutional growth, both at Rice University and in academic organizations more broadly. To that end, she served nine years as Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Sociology at Rice, founded the Religion and Public Life Program at Rice in 2010 and served as director for 12 years, was president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR), president of the Religious Research Association (RRA), and has served on various university evaluation and research committees. With John Evans of UCSD, she started a subfield for the sociology of science and religion.

In 2018, Elaine gave the prestigious Gifford Lecture at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and in 2023 she received the Rice University Presidential Mentoring Award.