About Public Religion Research Institute

Public Religion Research Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and education organization dedicated to work at the intersection of religion, values, and public life.

Our mission is to help journalists, opinion leaders, scholars, clergy, and the general public better understand debates on public policy issues and the role of religion in American public life by conducting high quality public opinion surveys and qualitative research. As a research organization, we do not take positions on, nor do we advocate for, particular policies. As members of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), the American Political Science Association (APSA), and the American Academy of Religion (AAR), our research team follows the highest academic research standards. PRRI is also a supporting organization of the Transparency Initiative at AAPOR.

History

Public Religion Research Institute was founded to provide high quality public opinion survey research focused on religion, values, and American public policy. Since our founding in 2009, PRRI research has become a standard source of trusted information among journalists, opinion leaders, scholars, clergy, and the general public. PRRI research has been cited in over 600 media stories and has played a critical role in helping the media and the public gain a more accurate understanding of the changing religious landscape and its role in shaping American politics. In addition to our monthly PRRI/RNS Religion News Survey conducted in partnership with Religion News Service and our Religion and Politics Tracking Survey, PRRI conducts a number of major national surveys focused on issues such as immigration reform, climate change, LGBT issues, abortion, and pluralism. The PRRI research team also publishes peer review articles based on our research in leading academic journals and books.