Civitas Lab

The Civitas Lab is a research incubator at the Henry Institute. Every year, 8-12 students known as the Civitas Scholars partner with Calvin professors to explore the public role of faith through discipline-based research. 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.

The 2019-20 Civitas Lab

Rustbelt Religion: Elias Jesus is working with Professor Mark Mulder to explore fieldwork and interviews in central Wisconsin to explain how religion shapes the politics of rural white voters.

Elias Jesus Junior, majoring in Religion and Sociology from Plano, TX	Mark Mulder Calvin University Sociology Department

Mapping Applications for Re-entry: Liam Farraby, Jason Entingh, Jennifer Randall, Debora Haede and Amen Gabre are working with Jason VanHorn and Kevin den Dulk to continue the expansion of the user-friendly intuitive map to work toward including all  counties in Michigan, providing information about facilities and organizations that would be indispensable to new parolees and those returning as citizens from incarceration. (See an article about the Restorative Justice project work)

Liam Ferraby Junior, majoring in  Biology and  Environmental Studies from Hiram, OH	Jason Entingh Senior, majoring   in Linguistics, Minor in International Development Studies from Hudsonville, MI	Jennifer Randall Senior, majoring in Social Work, from Grand Rapids, MI	Debora Haede Senior, majoring in International Relations, minor in Economics (pre-law specialization) from Kuşadası, Turkey	Amen Gabre Junior, majoring in International Relations and French from Silver Spring, MD

Kevin R. den Dulk Calvin University Political Science Department; Henry Institute Executive Director	Jason Van Horn Calvin University Geology, Geography, and Environmental Studies Departments

Formative Practices of Civic Hospitality: Alaina Kwiatkowski is working with Professor Kevin den Dulk on a project funded by the Issachar Fund to develop a concept of hospitality as a virtue of faithful citizenship, to craft model pedagogical interventions that embed hospitality and related Christian virtues into civic learning, and to make the interventions widely available to civics teachers.

Alaina Kwiatkowski Freshman	Kevin R. den Dulk Calvin University Political Science Department; Henry Institute Executive Director

The Moral Power of Stories: A Meta-Analysis: Allyson Fea is assisting Peter Meindl as they explore the power of stories in developing a readers'  moral character, as the themes and narratives often inspire moral change and influence moral beliefs and values, moral motivation, and even moral behavior such as volunteerism and charitable giving. Psychologists have begun to look into whether stories shape morality, but the findings are inconsistent This research seeks to meta-analyze these results to get a better sense of the moral power of stories.

Allyson Fea Junior, majoring in Psychology and History from Mechanicsburg, PA	Peter Meindl Calvin University  Psychology Department

Interfaith Photovoice Initiative: McKinley Anderson and Calvin Sociology Professor Roman Williams are analyzing data from a multi-site project exploring the effectiveness of an arts-based research technique called photovoice as a strategy for interfaith engagement. Along with traditional forms of scholarship such as articles and books, Anderson and Williams are disseminating materials to a more general audience through the interfaithphotovoice.org website and social media.

McKinley Anderson Senior, majoring in Sociology and Psychology from Greenville, SC	Roman Williams Calvin University  Sociology Department

Critical Information Needs in Underserved Communities: Daniela Ampuero Castilla is working with Professor Jesse Holcomb on a research project supported by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation. The two-part study, consisting of a public opinion survey and media content analysis, explores how communities of color stay informed about schools and education, and seeks to understand the role that media play in sharing education-related information to these communities.

	Daniela Ampuero Castilla Sophomore, majoring in  Electrical & Computer Engineering and International Relations from, Comas, Lima, Peru	Jesse Holcomb Calvin University English and Communication Department

The Politics of Water: Kevin den Dulk is working with Jonathan Winkle and Olivia den Dulk to explore the appropriate role of government in addressing problems involving availability, stewardship and economic justice issues that surround distribution of water as a matter of public justice.

Jonathan Winkle Senior, majoring in Political Science from Grand Rapids, MI	Kevin R. den Dulk Calvin University Political Science Department; Henry Institute Executive Director

The Polarization of American Christianity: Elias Jesus is assisting Calvin History Professor Kristin DuMez with research on the current state of polarization within the American Christian environment. Hillary Clinton may have lost the 2016 presidential election, but she remains one of the most influential political figures in recent American history. Her career, and her legacy, can be best understood in the context of the polarization of American Christianity. This project situates Clinton's personal and political life in the context of American religious history, from the 1950's to the present. 

Elias Jesus Junior, majoring in Religion and Sociology from Plano, TX	Kristin Kobes DuMez Calvin University  History  Department

Charting the Future of Public Service Journalism: Ivanna Rodriguez Lobo is working with Professor Jesse Holcomb on a research project in collaboration with the Institute for Nonprofit News. The annual INN index is a survey of nonprofit news publishers around the U.S., measuring trends in community engagement, business sustainability, and journalistic impact. 

Ivanna Rodriguez Lobo Senior, majoring in Data Science and  Economics, minor in International Relations from Tegucigalpa, Honduras	Jesse Holcomb Calvin University English and Communication Department

See former Civitas Lab projects and participants