The Civitas Lab is a research incubator at the Henry Institute. Every year, a number of Calvin students known as the Civitas Scholars partner with Calvin professors to explore the public role of faith through discipline-based research. The students also build a research community by meeting together regularly to discuss their work, share project insights and challenges, and divide labor when necessary. The 2021-22 academic year included the following research projects, with 13 students working with 9 Calvin faculty members on 8 different topics.
Early Modern Exegesis and the Kingdom of God: The Politics of the Gospel of Mark in the Era of the Reformation: Levi Yakuber is conducting research with Henry Institute Associate Director Jordan Ballor involving investigation into the primary and secondary sources on the gospel of Mark in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with a special focus on the political dimensions of early modern exegesis of this biblical book. The work also supports a larger project on the commentary tradition on John in the Reformation era.
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| Levi Yakuber Senior, majoring in Philosophy and Classical Studies from Canton, MI |
Jordan Ballor Henry Institute Associate Director |
Henry Conversations Podcast Series: Grace Lunger is working with Henry Institute Director Micah Watson on the Henry Conversations Podcast project, assisting with research on podcast guests and completing technical editing and preparation of the podcasts for publication, as well as being involved in other Henry Institute projects.
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| Grace Lunger Junior, majoring in Political Science and Strategic Communication from Marshall, MI |
Micah Watson Henry Institute Director |
Live, Laugh, Love: A Cultural History of White Christian Womanhood: Karalyn Aardema and Tiffany Kajiwara are working with Calvin History Professor Kristin DuMez on a project that analyzes how Christian consumer culture has shaped the religious, economic, and political ideals of white Christian women.
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| Karalyn Aardema Junior majoring in History, minor in Global Development Studies from Holland, MI |
Tiffany Kajiwara Senior, majoring in Literature and Writing, minor in Film Studies from Des Plaines, IL |
Kristin Kobes DuMez Calvin University History Department |
Mapping Applications for Re-entry: Ashlyn Franklin and Nathanael Kastner, along with Jason VanHorn and Kevin den Dulk are continuing the work to expand the user-friendly intuitive map providing state-wide information about facilities and organizations available to assist new parolees and individuals returning from incarceration in Michigan. (additional information about the project)
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| Ashlyn Franklin Junior majoring in Social Work, minoring in Political Science from Lansing, MI |
Ron Hammond Senior, majoring in Human Resource Management from Owosso, MI |
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| Nathanael Kastner Junior, majoring in Geography, minoring in Computer Science from Greeley, CO |
Sean Sword Junior, majoring in Criminology from Grand Rapids, MI |
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| Kevin R. den Dulk Calvin University Associate Provost of Calvin Global Education; Political Science Department |
Jason Van Horn Calvin University Geology, Geography, and Environmental Studies Department |
Critical Information Needs in Underserved Communities: Ben Honeyford, Sage McKissack, and Isaac Seiler are conducting research with Calvin Journalism and Communication Professor Jesse Holcomb on a project supported by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation uses a public opinion survey and media content analysis to explore how communities of color stay informed about schools and education, and seeking to understand the role that media play in sharing education-related information to these communities. Holcomb's team is also working on a second project, Charting the Future of Public Service Journalism in collaboration with the Institute of Nonprofit News. The annual INN Index is a survey of nonprofit news publishers around the U.S., measuring trends in community engagement, business sustainability, and journalistic impact.
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| Ben Honeyford Junior majoring in Sociology and Strategic Communication, minoring in Urban Studies from Winnipeg, Manitoba |
Sage McKissack Senior, majoring in History and Political Science from Grand Rapids, MI |
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| Isaac Seiler Sophomore majoring in Politics, Philosophy & Economics, minoring in African Studies from Rockford, MI |
Jesse Holcomb Calvin University Journalism and Communication Department |
American Civil Religion and the Increase in Seculars: Abigail Ham is working with Doug Koopman to finalize preparations for a forthcoming book on American civil religion and the increase in seculars, which he is co-authoring with Amy Black and is scheduled for completion in mid-2022.
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| Abigail Ham Junior, majoring in Politics, Philosophy & Economics and Writing, minoring in Classics and Sociology from Sheffield, VT |
Doug Koopman Calvin University Politics & Economics Department |
Rusted Religion: Emily Steen is supporting research conducted by Calvin Sociology Professor Mark Mulder in a study that considers the intersection of rural and religious identities.
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| Emily Steen Sophomore, majoring in Sociology, minoring in Urban Studies and Theology from North Haledon, NJ |
Mark Mulder Calvin University Sociology & Social Work Department |