Brandon Brown
Sociology of Religion
Education
M.A., Sociology, Baylor University, 2022
B.A., Political Science and Sociology, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 2019
Biography
Brandon Brown is a fourth-year student in Baylor's Sociology Graduate Program. A native of West Texas, he graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Sociology in 2019. While at UMHB, Brandon's passion for political science, history and religion developed over time into a fascination with the study of religion and politics within a sociological context. His work as an undergraduate in conducting ethnographic research on a local Methodist church with an aging congregation and, later, a quantitative inquiry into the demographic data, religious practices, and beliefs of politically liberal Evangelicals affirmed his desire to work in researching sociology. He was attracted to Baylor by its distinguished faculty who contribute a variety of expertise in the sociology of religion, its emphasis on pedagogy, and the opportunity to work with the Baylor Religion Survey firsthand.
As a graduate student Brandon’s research has focused on political identity and religious life among college students and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on congregations in the US. He also holds considerable interest in researching politically and religiously progressive Christians, measuring perception of belonging among the population, and the factors that drive the “exvangelical” or post-evangelical movement.
Brandon's primary goal upon graduation from Baylor is to become a university professor and an active contributor to the field of the sociology of religion.
Recent Publications
Brown, Brandon M., Kevin D. Dougherty, Jeremy E. Uecker, Sarah A. Schnitker, and Perry L. Glanzer. 2023. “Changes in Politics and Religiosity among Students at a Protestant University.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12891
Jang, Sung Joon, Brandon M. Brown, Joseph Leman, Charlotte van Oyen Witvliet, Bryon R. Johnson, and Matt Bradshaw. 2023. “Explaining the Relationship between Religious Involvement and Political Participation: The Virtue of Transcendent Accountability as Mediator.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 62(3):549-79.