Ryan Messmore studies and writes about how religious commitment improves public discourse and strengthens civil institutions as research fellow in the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation.

For five years, Messmore held Heritage’s William E. Simon fellowship in religion and a free society. He assumed the post of research fellow in 2011, after receiving his doctorate in political theology from Oxford University. 

His commentary and analysis have appeared in major newspapers such as Newsday, The Washington Times, St. Paul Pioneer Press and Raleigh News and Observer, as well as on news and opinion sites such as National Review Online, Real Clear Religion, Crosswalk and Citizen Link.

Messmore’s writing has been featured in national journals and magazines such as National Affairs, First Things, Comment and World. He also served as lead writer of a six-part, DVD-based curriculum designed for small groups, “Seek Social Justice: Transforming Lives in Need.”  

Before joining Heritage in 2006, Messmore was founding director of Trinity Forum Academy in Royal Oak, Md. The program, which he designed and had overseen since 2001, offers recent college graduates a nine-month residential program of advanced course work in theology and cultural engagement.

Messmore received his bachelor’s degree in public policy and religion from Duke University. In addition to his doctorate in political theology from Oxford, he holds master’s degrees in theology and Christian ethics from Duke Divinity School and Cambridge University.

He currently resides with his wife, Karin, and three children in Maryland.