Elaine Howard Ecklund, Rice University (IMAGE) Rice University Caption Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences at Rice University. Ecklund is also the director of Rice's Religion and Public Life Program and a Rice Scholar at the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Credit Jeff Fitlow/Rice University Usage Restrictions For news reporting purposes only. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.