Peyton Rabb

Studio intern

Peyton Rabb is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia where she studied English and Political & Social Thought. She combined her love for the arts and social theory in her thesis entitled, The Art of Truth: An Aesthetic Theory of Language Toward Agency in Political Thought, exploring how language can be creatively engaged to foster agency in individuals and their broader communities. 

Outside of her academic work, Peyton spent much of her time in faith communities wrestling deeply with questions of meaning, purpose, and the function of religious institutions in a pluralistic society. She served as Editor of Bearings, a student-run journal of religious thought at UVA that represented a diverse range of perspectives and expressions. She also found meaningful work with Theological Horizons, a nonprofit engaging questions at the intersection of faith, thought, and life.

At The Harwood Institute, Peyton works with the Community Initiatives team to connect research, public knowledge, and community action. Drawing on her experience with faith communities, she is particularly interested in how diverse networks, institutions, and traditions contribute to stronger civic life and more inclusive community engagement. 

Having grown up in a military family, Peyton has always enjoyed indulging in “local” activities—whether that’s cooking with ingredients from a nearby farm, catching a concert, play, or other arts event downtown, or exploring the surrounding nature of a new community.