Jennifer Patterson

Jennifer Patterson serves as a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and as Director of the Institute for Theology and Public Life at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. With over 25 years of experience in public policy, her work bridges theological insights with practical policy applications, particularly in the areas of religious freedom and poverty alleviation.

Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College, master's degrees from Reformed Theological Seminary and the Institute of World Politics, and she is currently a doctoral candidate in moral theology and ethics at The Catholic University of America. Previously, she served as a vice president at The Heritage Foundation, overseeing research on social welfare, family, and religious liberty issues.

Patterson's research interests span religious freedom, poverty alleviation, moral theology, public policy, and education policy. Her work consistently examines how theological principles inform policy solutions, with particular attention to the role of religious institutions in addressing social challenges. She approaches policy questions through a lens that integrates Christian ethics with practical governance considerations, emphasizing the importance of civil society institutions like families and religious communities in fostering human flourishing.

Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on religious liberty, educational freedom, and the intersection of theology with public policy. Over the past two years, she has written extensively on challenges facing religious educational institutions, the impact of pandemic-era learning loss, and the importance of parental choice in education. Her scholarship reveals a deep concern for how policy frameworks either support or undermine the ability of religious communities to operate according to their convictions while serving the broader public good.

Patterson is a frequent commentator in media outlets, has testified before Congress, and speaks at various forums on issues related to her expertise. Her work connects theological insights with practical policy applications, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom and civil society institutions in addressing contemporary social challenges.