The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life is a project of the Pew Research Center. It seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Forum functions as both an information clearinghouse and a town hall. As a clearinghouse it tracks and aggregates news and conducts independent research, including surveys, legal backgrounders, reports, books and Q&A interviews. As a town hall, it provides a neutral venue for discussion. In these roles, the Forum serves as an important information resource for political leaders, journalists, scholars and public interest groups.