WASHINGTON—PRRI is pleased to announce the appointment of J. Jioni Palmer as Director of Communications.

In his new position, Mr. Palmer will be responsible for leading PRRI’s growing communications team and will oversee its efforts to inform the public debate over the policy issues at the center of America’s changing cultural, religious and political landscape. Mr. Palmer and his team will be a resource to journalists, scholars, pundits and the general public as they seek to better understand the important cultural and religious dynamics shaping American society and politics.

“To build our future, we need to understand the attitudes, beliefs and ideologies shaping our contemporary moment,” said Palmer. “I’m thrilled to be joining PRRI’s smart and talented team as we shed light on the impact of America’s changing demographics and pressing topics such as immigration, race, abortion and LGBT issues.”

Before joining PRRI, Mr. Palmer owned and operated a media and public affairs firm and served as Associate Commissioner of External Affairs for the Social Security Administration. He is also the former Deputy Chief Policy Officer for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

“PRRI’s research is designed to provide insights that get to the heart of our cultural and political dialogue,” noted Robert P. Jones, CEO of PRRI. “Jioni’s decades of experience on Capitol Hill and as a journalist will ensure those insights connect with all Americans—from citizens to leaders in government and the private sector.”

Prior to his work during the Obama administration, Mr. Palmer worked on Capitol Hill as the Communications Director for the Congressional Black Caucus, as National Press Secretary at Media Matters for America and as Press Secretary for the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a reporter with Newsday, covering government and politics in New York. He joined the Washington bureau in September 2004 as Newsday‘s Congressional Correspondent, reporting on the daily activities on Capitol Hill, with a focus on the New York delegation.

Mr. Palmer is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, where he majored in African American Studies.

PRRI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to conducting independent research at the intersection of religion, culture, and public policy.