Verena Schneider

Dr. Verena Schneider is a Researcher at the University of Leipzig's Institute for Practical Theology, Department of Sociology of Religion and Church. She actively contributes to projects such as the Knowledge Network for Right-Wing Extremism Research (Wi-REX) and Trust in Democracy, Populism, and Voting Behavior in Times of Transformation, both funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

• Education
  • Doctorate from Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg (2014–2019), focusing on Protestantism's effects on attitudes/values in the USA and Germany
  • MA in Media and Cultural Analysis (Université de Nantes/Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, 2009–2012)
  • BA in Media and Cultural Studies (Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, 2006–2009)

Her research spans radicalization processes, religious/social identities, and religiosity-prejudice connections, with emphasis on right-wing extremism, social cohesion, and value orientations. She teaches seminars on sociology of religion, political culture, and prejudice, including courses at the University of Erfurt and Leipzig (2019–2024).

Current research projects include collaborations with the Research Institute for Social Cohesion (FGZ) and the Hannah Arendt Institute for Totalitarianism Research (HAIT), addressing societal polarization and populist dynamics.