ANN ARBOR—A scholar whose research probes the connection between corporate and evangelical religious practices in America is the recipient of the second annual Emerging Scholars Prize. The award is given by the University of Michigan’s Institute for the Humanities.

Bethany Moreton, professor of history and women’s studies at the University of Georgia, has been named the top emerging scholar in the humanities after an extensive international search and a candidacy review of some of the most promising early-career intellectuals in the country.

“Professor Moreton combines a cool eye of a journalist, the sympathetic ear of an anthropologist and critical intelligence of a scholar,” said Daniel Herwitz, director of the Institute for the Humanities. “In her work, she teases out the themes of economy, religious spectacle, fast-food society, identity, family, belonging and gender?themes that go a long way towards shaping the contours of American society.”

Moreton’s book, “To Serve God and Wal-Mart: The Making of Christian Free Enterprise,” published by Harvard University, will be released in May.

“Prizes for young humanities scholars?generally under 30 years old?have been considered uncommon,” said U-M alum Cody Engle, who donated seed money to establish the Emerging Scholars Program. “This annual award is a way to raise awareness of the institute and the work of some of the most compelling young scholars pushing research in the humanities.”

Engle’s contribution funded the inaugural prize last year, and his generous donation continues through next year, when he expects additional donors will contribute to an endowment that facilitates funding the award in perpetuity. Eligible candidates must have received their doctoral degree within the last five years.

An honorable mention prize was given to Bulbul Tiwari, who submitted her 2008 doctoral dissertation at the University of Chicago entirely in digital format.

“Her work blurs the distinction between scholarship and documentary filmmaking,” Herwitz said. “In celebrating Tiwari’s work, the institute recognizes the emerging trend in new digital formulations of the humanities.”

Moreton received $25,000 for the top prize, while Tiwari was given $1,000.

Institute for the Humanities