Sociology Professor Magda Szaflarski has been selected as one of three new fellows in the Studying Congregations Engaged Scholars Fellowship program sponsored by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research with funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

These 18-month fellowships support scholars who are interested in disciplined inquiry into the life of local communities of faith in North America.

Dr. Szaflarski will use the $20,000 award to conduct research on congregational responses to community health needs and network with other scholars in the field. Her research aims to inform federal efforts by the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity and the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships to serve Americans in need and reduce health disparities.

The Congregational Studies Team is an informal collaboration of scholars and researchers who share an interest in the disciplined study of congregations.