Jennifer Patterson

Senior Fellow

Jennifer Patterson is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Her work focuses on projects related to religious freedom and overcoming poverty, drawing on her more than 25 years of experience in public policy.

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Jennifer Patterson is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Her work focuses on projects related to religious freedom and overcoming poverty, drawing on her more than 25 years of experience in public policy.

She is the director of the Institute for Theology and Public Life at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., and previously served as a vice president at The Heritage Foundation overseeing research on social welfare, family, and religious liberty issues.

Her commentary has appeared in a wide range of outlets, and she has contributed chapters and articles to scholarly and popular books and journals. As a public speaker, she has spoken in many different forums, testified before Congress, and appeared on numerous media platforms.

Currently a doctoral candidate in moral theology and ethics at The Catholic University of America, she holds masters’ degrees from Reformed Theological Seminary and the Institute of World Politics, and a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College.

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Student courage and judicial clarity

Jennifer Patterson

A 9th Circuit decision strengthens religious freedom on campus.

Articles

WORLD Opinions / January 17, 2024

Growing old as a calling

Jennifer Patterson

Our perspective on aging will shape our own life paths, our relationships with our elders, and our outlook on public policy questions about the value of human life.

Articles

WORLD Opinions / January 9, 2024

The wonderful givenness of life

Jennifer Patterson

Individuality thrives by expressing the gift of our shared human nature.

Articles

WORLD Opinions / December 22, 2023

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act at 30

Jennifer Patterson

Thirty years ago this month, the landmark Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) was signed into law.

Articles

WORLD Opinions / November 27, 2023

Christian education in a time of gender confusion

Jennifer Patterson

Changing federal interpretations of biological sex raise new challenges for Christian schools.

WORLD Opinions / October 3, 2023

An unjust decision reversed

Jennifer Patterson

A school board will end its discrimination against a Christian university.

WORLD Opinions / August 10, 2023

Choosing the education reform road not taken

Jennifer Patterson

Parental choice in education is the way forward

Articles

WORLD Opinions / July 25, 2023

The kids are not catching up

Jennifer Patterson

A year of post-pandemic scores shows the urgency of helping students recover lost ground

Articles

WORLD Opinions / July 6, 2023

Unaccountable rule-makers

Jennifer Patterson

Culture-shifting policies coming from federal bureaucracies call for attention

Articles

WORLD Opinions / May 17, 2023

Hopes on hold for motherhood

Jennifer Patterson

Honoring mothers’ loving service, not just idealizing the status of motherhood

Articles

WORLD Opinions / May 12, 2023

Springing forward on educational opportunity

Jennifer Patterson

Parents in more states gain new choices in education

Articles

WORLD Opinions / May 8, 2023

Cashing out an effective antipoverty policy

Jennifer Patterson

Unconditional grants reverse what we know works in welfare

Articles

WORLD Opinions / March 15, 2023