Margolis is an associate professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania. She studies public opinion, political psychology, and religion and politics. Her book, "From Politics to the Pews" (University of Chicago Press, 2018), won the Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion.

One of the most substantial divides in American politics is the “God gap.” Religious voters tend to identify with and support the Republican Party, while secular voters generally support the Democratic Party. Conventional wisdom suggests that religious differences between Republicans and Democrats have produced this gap, with voters sorting themselves into the party that best represents their religious views. This talk challenges the conventional wisdom, arguing that the relationship between religion and politics is far from a one-way street that starts in the church and ends at the ballot box.

The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs welcomed an accomplished panel featuring Brian McLane ’68, Professor Arlene Kanter, Yohannes Takele Zewale, Professor Beth Myers and Director Paula Possenti-Perez. The panelists took the stage with Chris Faricy, associate professor of political science and the inaugural Hicker Family Professor in Renewing Democratic Community. 

Our understanding of citizenship can be transformed when viewed through the perspective of people with disabilities. How do disability rights fit into the modern human rights framework? Have universities become more accessible and if so for whom? Are disabled students fully included in higher education’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts? And how do disability rights in New York state and the United States compare to other countries? Thanks to those who joined us for an important conversation about how promoting disability rights moves us closer to realizing the promise of full citizenship in democracies here and around the world.