The Henry Institute's Civitas Lab partners Calvin students and faculty to study the intersections of faith and public life. Every year, 6-8 students - the Civitas Scholars - enter the Lab as paid research assistants to work with Calvin professors across campus who are exploring the public role of faith. The students also build a research community by meeting together regularly to discuss their work, share project insights and challenges, and divide labor when necessary. During the year, Calvin's Center for Social Research introduces the Civitas Scholars to various methods and applications that will serve the students not only in their near-term projects, but also in their vocational pursuits after graduation.
The 2016-17 Civitas Lab
Challenges for the Next President Series: Abbie Schutte and Jonathan Winkle are examining issue topics and producing position papers for each major "hot button" issue considered in the Challenges series panel discussions, working with Calvin College professor Micah Watson.
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| Jonathan Winkle Freshman, majoring in Political Science from Grand Rapids, MI |
Abbie Schutte Senior, majoring in Political Science (Civic Leadership and Policy Studies) Minors in Sociology, Urban Studies from Olathe, Kansas |
Micah Watson Calvin College Political Science Department |
The Globalization of Adoption Policy: Shiki Hino is working with Professor Becca McBride on her ongoing research into the global interaction surrounding international adoption.
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| Shiki Hino Senior, majoring in Economics and Mathematics from Asago, Japan |
Becca McBride Calvin College Political Science Department |
The Faith of Hillary Clinton: Isaac LaGrand is assisting Calvin History Professor Kristin DuMez with research for her forthcoming book, Journey of Faith: A Religious History of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
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| Isaac LaGrand Senior, majoring in History and Philosophy from Grand Rapids, MI |
Kristin DuMez Calvin College History Department |
The Civic Engagement of Latino Christians: Calvin Junior Erica Buursma is exploring the diverse patterns of Latino Protestant congregational civic engagement with Calvin Sociology Department Professor Mark Mulder.
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| Erica Buursma Junior, majoring in Sociology, minors in Gender Studies, Communication and Spanish from Grand Rapids, MI |
Mark Mulder Calvin College Sociology Department |
Water and Justice: Jonathan Winkle is researching the appropriate role of government in addressing problems surrounding availability, stewardship and economic justice issues that surround distribution of water as a matter of public justice.
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| Jonathan Winkle Freshman, majoring in Political Science from Grand Rapids, MI |
Kevin R. den Dulk Calvin College Political Science Department Henry Institute Exec. Director |
Mapping Resources for Returning Citizens: Julie Bylsma is working with Jason VanHorn from Calvin's Geology Department to construct an interactive map of resources available for re-entering citizens in Kent County as they are released from incarceration.
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| Julie Bylsma Senior, from Grand Rapids, MI |
Jason Van Horn Calvin College Geology Department |
Visualizing Faith and Citizenship: Kara Bilkert is assisting Calvin Sociology Professor Roman Williams in collecting photographic images from students studying off-campus which convey a momentary, unique perspective about faith and public life.
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| Kara Bilkert Junior, majoring in Social Work and Sociology from Cleveland, OH |
James Owens Sophomore, majoring in Sociology and Studio Art from St. Louis, MO |
Roman Williams Calvin College Sociology Department |
As part of the Visualizing Faith and Citizenship project, Abbie Schutte is exploring how churches present political issues and views to their parishioners, working with Calvin Political Science professor Kevin den Dulk.
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| Abbie Schutte Senior, majoring in Political Science (Civic Leadership and Policy Studies) Minors in Sociology, Urban Studies from Olathe, Kansas |
Kevin den Dulk Calvin College Political Science Department Henry Institute Exec. Director |
Public Lands and Water Resources:Noah Schumerth is working with Prof. James Skillen to map and explain conflicts over public lands in the Western United States. Over the last century, critics of federal land ownership have waged a number of "sagebrush rebellions," and there are indications that we are in the midst of a new wave of rebellion today. Their research is exploring the legal and ideological roots of this rebellion and its impact on the work of public land agencies.
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| Noah Schumerth Sophomore, majoring in Geography minoring in Architecture from Appleton, WI |
James Skillen Calvin College Geology, Geography, and Environmental Sciences Department |