Stephen Ellingson

Stephen Ellingson is a Professor of Sociology at Hamilton College, specializing in the sociology of religion, culture, and social movements. His research focuses on topics such as megachurches, environmental movements, and collective behavior, including his recent work on New York's local food movement. He earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago, with additional degrees from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary and Seattle Pacific University.

Ellingson has authored influential books like To Care for Creation (2016) and The Megachurch and the Mainline (2007), which won the Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. His work bridges religious institutions with broader societal issues, including healthcare ethics through co-authored texts like Organizational Ethics in Health Care (2001).

He has held leadership roles at Hamilton College, including Director of the Levitt Center Sustainability Program (2014–17) and Chair of the Sociology Department (2010–12). Ellingson’s research has been supported by grants from organizations like The Louisville Institute and The Wabash Center. His teaching spans courses on American society, organizational culture, and the sociology of religion.

Key contributions include analyzing the interplay between religion and environmentalism, the cultural dynamics of megachurches, and the sociological underpinnings of social movements. His interdisciplinary approach integrates religion, ethics, and environmental studies, reflecting a commitment to understanding how institutions shape—and are shaped by—cultural and moral frameworks.