Jose Casanova

Jose Casanova is a sociologist of religion, born in 1951, whose research focuses on globalization, religion and secularization. He is a professor at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at its Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and holds degrees in philosophy and theology as well as a doctorate in sociology from the New School for Social Research. His 1994 book Public Religions in the Modern World, translated into several languages, challenged the classical secularization thesis by arguing that religion continues to play a vital, legitimate public role in modern societies rather than retreating entirely into private life. In 2012 he received the Theology Prize from the Salzburger Hochschulwochen for his life's work.