Christian Smith

Christian Smith is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society. He holds a BA from Gordon College (1983) and MA/PhD from Harvard University (1990). His research focuses on religion, social theory, youth studies, and critical realism. Notable contributions include redefining sociological approaches to human personhood, analyzing the spiritual lives of American youth, and examining secularization dynamics. Smith leads major projects like the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) and the Science of Generosity Initiative. His work bridges philosophy and empirical research, emphasizing moral agency and cultural influences. He has authored over 20 books, including What Is a Person? and Soul Searching, and teaches courses on religion, critical realism, and social theory.