Research Associates

			Karen Hwang, Ed.D., recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in rehabilitation outcomes at Kessler Research Foundation, and is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medical Rehabilitation at University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. Her prior research experience has focused on quality of life issues in persons with traumatic disabilities, including stroke, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Her current interest is in the medical and psychological correlates of religion and atheism in the US population, and the consequences of anti-atheist discrimination.

			Ryan T. Cragun, Ph.D., is a sociologist specializing in religion. His prior research focuses on the growth and decline of Mormonism, factors predisposing individuals to leave religion, and secular life. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Tampa, in Tampa, FL. When he's not doing sociology, he enjoys cooking, spending time with his wife, and watching sci-fi.

			Joseph H. Hammer, M.Ed., is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Iowa State University. His two primary lines of research are: (a) developing testable theoretical models for the prediction of professional psychological help-seeking behavior that inform prevention/intervention and (b) understanding the lived experience of nonreligious individuals through culturally-sensitive research methods. He is currently investigating the nature and impact of anti-atheist prejudice as well as measurement issues related to the valid assessment of religious/spiritual constructs in the context of secular populations.

			Jesse M. Smith, Ph.D., is a sociologist who works primarily in social psychology. His substantive research interests include qualitative methods, sociology of religion/irreligion, identity development, the self, and deviant behavior. His dissertation work focused on the individual and collective identity work of contemporary American atheists.