Celebrating the Career of Scott Thumma

Hartford International University and the Hartford Institute for Religion Research warmly invite colleagues, alumni, research partners, and friends to a special retirement conference honoring the remarkable career of Scott Thumma. The topic will be Data, Congregations, and the Public Square.

For decades, Scott has shaped the field of congregational studies through visionary leadership, rigorous scholarship, and generous mentorship. This one-day gathering celebrates his enduring contributions to the sociology of religion, the study of congregations, and public conversations about faith in America.

The conference will reflect the breadth of Scott’s work and the communities he has influenced. This conference not only honors Scott’s extraordinary career but also continues the work he championed — careful research, collaborative inquiry, and thoughtful engagement with the changing landscape of American religion.

9:00 a.m. – Coffee and Light Snacks
A time to reconnect and gather in community.

9:30 a.m. – Opening Address
Welcoming remarks reflecting on Scott’s leadership, scholarship, and impact at the Institute and beyond.

10:00 a.m. – Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations and Faith Communities Today: Research Presentations
This panel brings together scholars working with data from the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) study and Faith Communities Today (FACT) to examine how congregations across religious traditions have navigated disruption, adaptation, and recovery. This applied research, with Scott as Principal Investigator, is the most comprehensive study of post-pandemic congregational life in the United States and is the culmination of Scott’s longstanding commitment to careful, accessible data about religious life.

11:45 a.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Religion Data and Religion Journalism: Panel Discussion
A conversation highlighting Scott’s commitment to bridging academic research and public understanding, featuring scholars and journalists engaged in interpreting religion data for broader audiences.

2:45 p.m. – Break

3:00 p.m. – The Future of Religion: Roundtable Conversation
An interactive dialogue on emerging trends in American religious life, inspired by Scott’s forward-looking scholarship and his investment in the next generation of researchers.

4:45 p.m. – Light Reception
A celebratory reception to close the day, offering space for gratitude and fellowship.

In honor of Scott's retirement, we invite you to make a gift celebrating his extraordinary leadership, scholarship, and mentorship in the field of congregational studies. Your donation will help continue the work he championed — rigorous applied research, collaborative inquiry, and thoughtful engagement with the changing landscape of American religion—ensuring that his legacy endures for years to come.

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