Ilana M. Horwitz, PhD
I am a sociologist, public scholar, and author. I serve as the Fields-Rayant Chair in Contemporary Jewish Life and Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies and Sociology at Tulane University.
My Story
Before entering academia, I worked with technology startups and as a management consultant at Deloitte, where I helped organizations navigate strategic and operational challenges. That experience continues to shape my research and writing, which bridge the worlds of scholarship, innovation, and real-world impact.
I earned my doctorate from Stanford University and hold degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, and Emory University. My research sits at the intersection of religion, education, and social class, with a particular focus on how these forces shape people’s life courses.
I have published in top academic journals, including the American Sociological Review, and my work has received numerous awards, including the Early Career Award from the Association for the Social Scientific Study of Jewry and a Distinguished Book Award from the religion section of the American Sociological Association. Since 2021, I have published over a dozen op-eds in outlets like The New York Times, The Conversation, and Inside Higher Ed.
An immigrant from the former Soviet Union, I bring both analytical rigor and personal insight to my writing, research, and teaching. My first book, God, Grades, and Graduation: Religion’s Surprising Impact on Academic Success (Oxford University Press), received critical acclaim and widespread media attention—from The New York Times to The Wall Street Journal.
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I have given research talks and workshops on book and op-ed publishing for audiences ranging from 12-5,000. Institutions I have spoken at include Princeton University, Stanford University, Lousiana State University, and Bringham Young University.