Dr. Melissa Borja

Biography

Melissa Borja is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan specializing in the intersections of religion, migration, race, ethnicity, and politics, particularly in the context of the United States and the Pacific World. Her scholarly work emphasizes Asian American religious beliefs and practices within the framework of modern pluralism. Dr. Borja earned her Ph.D. in History from Columbia University in 2014 and has also obtained an M.A. from the University of Chicago and an A.B. from Harvard University. Her pivotal research publication, 'Follow New Way: American Refugee Resettlement Policy and Hmong Religious Change,' examines the impact of governmental policies on the religious lives of refugees. She engages in public scholarship through various media, contributing to platforms such as the Washington Post and serving as a senior advisor for the Religion and Resettlement Project. Dr. Borja has been recognized for her work addressing anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic, being named one of USA Today's Women of the Year in 2022 and receiving multiple awards for her contributions to diversity and public service in academia.

Research Interests

Awards