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Exploring the inner world of a Pentecostal church in London while a 海角社区 journalism student set the groundwork for Kristin Peterson鈥檚 professional career.

An assistant professor in Boston College鈥檚 Department of Communication, Peterson 鈥07 teaches courses that examine ways media and religion intersect. In 2022, she published the book Unruly Souls, an examination of the commonalities that Muslim activists and Evangelical Christian feminists share online as they find themselves marginalized within their faith communities due to their sexuality, gender or race.

During a Dominican study abroad program, Peterson鈥檚 independent research project explored the Pentecostal faithful, many Caribbean immigrants, navigating life in London. This, she says, sparked her interest in religion as an academic pursuit.

鈥淛ust having this different experience of religion from what I had grown up with as a Catholic, and talking to people who were passionate about their faith, made this something I was particularly interested in,鈥 Peterson explained. Peterson earned a master鈥檚 degree in religious studies and a Ph.D. in media studies. Her research of digital activism by youth impacted by the expectations of their faith 鈥 and the resulting trauma many experienced 鈥攍ed to the writing of Unruly Souls.

The Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters鈥 emphasis on faith and justice also inspired Peterson鈥檚 career path, she noted. 鈥淭hat influenced me in the work I do, to find ways to do research seeking a better world and helping the marginalized,鈥 Peterson said.