Michael Ryan
Sociology of Religion
Education
Ph.D., Sociology, Baylor University, Expected August 2024
M.A., Sociology, Baylor University, 2021
M.A. Sociology, The New School of Social Research, 2017
B.A. Sociology, Mount Saint Mary's University, 2015
Biography
Michael Ryan is a doctoral candidate in Sociology at Baylor University. Previously, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology from Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland as well his Master of Arts in Sociology from the New School for Social Research. During his time at the New School, Michael was also a teacher for children with learning and behavioral challenges. Directly before attending Baylor, he taught for two years in a rural community in Shandong, China, and subsequently published about his observations with the Catholic Church in China in America Magazine, a Jesuit publication. He has also contributed to The Berkely Center, at Georgetown University.
Michael’s interests focus on the intersections of religious life, political life, identity, and family. His projects touch on political communication, the role of religious, political, and racial identity on sense of community in Christian higher education, and how secularity does (and does not) shape socio-political beliefs amongst Black and Hispanic Americans. His dissertation focuses on the effects of parental and childhood religious beliefs and practices on the political and religious views of young adults. In addition to his research interests, Michael also has experience in applied research as a Solid Gold Neighbor Research Fellow and has been nominated for the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award and has received the Fundamentals of Data Research Fellowship Award at Baylor.
Upon completion of his PhD, Michael hopes to join a liberal arts institution where he can teach and learn from the next generation of inquisitive minds.
Recent Publications
Michael Ryan, Hannah Evans, Cara Hoekstra, David Jung, Kevin D. Dougherty, Perry L. Glanzer & Sarah A. Schnitker 2024. "Race, Religion, and Belonging at a Christian University, Religious Education". Religious Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2024.2303869