CIGI Chair of Religion and Politics in Global Context

Balsillie School, Department of Religion (WLU)

Contact Information

Office Location:  2 - 116 Woods Building
Phone Number:  519.884.0710 x 4582
Email:  pfreston @ balsillieschool.ca

Education

PhD in Sociology, University of Campinas, Brazil,
MA in Latin American Studies and Religion, University of  Cambridge and University of Liverpool,
BA in History and Social Anthropology, Cambridge (Sidney Sussex College),

Areas of Specialization

Religion and Global Politics
Religion and Globalization
Religious Transnationalism from the Global South
Sociology of Religion
Transformations in the Latin American Religious Field
Pentecostalism

Short Bio

 Born in Britain. Has lived mostly in Brazil. A sociologist with a background in classical theory and qualitative research methods. Worked for many years in Brazilian universities and research institutions (Instituto de Estudos Econômicos, Sociais e Políticos de São Paulo; the Social Science Department of the Universidade Federal de São Carlos; and the Department of Sciences of Religion at the Universidade Metodista de São Paulo), before some years in a Chair at Calvin College, Michigan. Has a special interest in stimulating opportunities for scholars based in the global south, both by supervising theses and directing international research teams. Has supervised dissertations on various aspects of the sociology of religion, religious change, and religion and politics, in diverse parts of the world.

Most recent scholarly publications

Evangelical Christianity and Democracy in Latin America, Oxford University Press, 2008
Protestant Political parties: A Global Survey, Ashgate, 2004
Evangelicals and Politics in Asia, Africa and latin America, Cambridge Unviersity Press, 2001
Nem Anjos Nem Demônios: Interpretações Sociológicas do Pentecostalismo (co-authored), Vozes, 1994 

Recent academic / professional awards

 Distinguished Senior Fellow and Director of the Program for Studies of Religion in Latin America, Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR), Baylor University.