LOS ANGELES, April 21, 2009 – Rebecca Sager, assistant professor of sociology, has been awarded one of two visiting fellowships at the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University.

During the yearlong fellowship, Sager will study with noted sociologist Robert Wuthnow, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, and work on a project that examines “how religion is being integrated into the Democratic Party, both in its campaigning and its policies.”

Sager’s research interests include the intersection of religion and public life, particularly how religion impacts policy and politics, religion’s role in social movements and the sociology of religion. She received her B.A. from U.C. San Diego, and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.

Last fall, she was awarded a National Science Foundation grant. Her book, “The Politics of Faith: State Implementation of Faith-Based Initiatives,” will be published in November 2009 by Oxford University Press.