Awarded by the American Political Science Association, it recognises leading scholars in the field of religion and politics.
Professor Jocelyn Cesari, Professor of Religion and Politics in the Department of Theology and Religion, has been awarded the Susanne Hoeber Rudolph Outstanding Scholar in Religion and Politics Award by the American Political Science Association (APSA).
Each year, the APSA recognises a scholar that has had a significant impact on the study of religion and politics. Commenting on their awarding decision, The APSA said ‘Cesari’s interdisciplinary research bridges political science, religious studies, and international relations, making her a leading authority on Islam, secularism, and global religious governance.’
They continued: ‘In addition to shaping policy debates at institutions like the UN and EU, she has mentored students across five continents and led major global research programs on pluralism, migration, and religion.’
Reacting to the award, Professor Cesari said: “This award means so much because of the name it carries. Suzanne Hoeber Rudolph stood for rigorous, boundary-crossing scholarship. She challenged us to study religion and politics not as separate domains—but as deeply intertwined forces that shape public life. From this perspective, my work has always tried to sit at the intersection of political science and religious studies. Not just combining disciplines—but rethinking how we define the political.”
Since joining the University of Birmingham in 2015, Professor Cesari has led research that bridges the gap between religious studies and social sciences. She has sought to understand how religion and politics intersect globally, focusing on democracy, secularization and toleration.
Professor of Religion and Politics
Biographical and contact information for Jocelyne Cesari, Professor of Religion and Politics, University of Birmingham.
