# Jayeel Cornelio

Jayeel Serrano Cornelio is a Filipino sociologist, academic, and public official who serves as the Director of the Science Education Institute under the Department of Science and Technology. He is concurrently a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he previously served as Director of the Development Studies Program and Associate Dean for Research and Creative Work.
Cornelio has written extensively on generational change, religion and public life, and the sociology of youth in the Philippines. He has been described as "one of the leading scholars of contemporary religious life in the Philippines."

## Early life and education

Jayeel Cornelio completed his Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies, with a minor in Cultural Heritage, at the Ateneo de Manila University from 1999 to 2003. He went on to pursue a Master of Social Sciences in Applied Sociology from 2005 to 2006, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology** from 2007 to 2011, both at the National University of Singapore.

## Career
### Science Education Institute

Cornelio was appointed as Director IV at Science Education Institute of DOST on October 8, 2024. In this role, he leads the institute responsible for developing and implementing programs that promote science and technology education in the Philippines.

### Academic career

Cornelio is a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he previously served as Director of the Development Studies Program and the Associate Dean for Research and Creative Work. Prior to joining the Ateneo, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity. His academic research has focused on religion, youth studies, and social movements in the Philippines. He was among the world's top 2% scientists in 2024.

## Research and publications

Cornelio has written extensively about religious change, secularization, and the role of Christianity in Philippine society. His work examines how religious beliefs and practices intersect with contemporary social issues, including politics and civic engagement.

### Notable works

* "Being Catholic in the Contemporary Philippines: Young People Reinterpreting Religion"
* "Rethinking Filipino Millennials: Alternative Perspectives on a Misunderstood Generation"
* "Christianity and Duterte's War on Drugs in the Philippines"
* "The rise of trolls in the Philippines (and what we can do about it)"
* "Popular religion and the turn to everyday authenticity reflections on the contemporary study of Philippine Catholicism"
* "Religious freedom in the Philippines: From legalities to lived experience"

## Awards and recognition

* Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the National Academy of Science (2017)
* The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (2021)
* Virginia A Miralao Excellence in Research Award (2015)

## Public engagement

Cornelio is a regular contributor to public discourse in the Philippines, writing opinion pieces and analyses for various media outlets, including Rappler. His recent work has addressed issues such as corruption in Filipino society and its relationship with cultural and religious factors.
His commentary frequently focuses on:
* Religion and politics in the Philippines
* Youth and social change
* Contemporary Catholic culture
* Social movements and civic engagement
In an interview on the Howie Severino Podcast, Cornelio stated that generational labels applied in North American society do not necessarily fit the Philippine context. "The reality is that from a sociological perspective, you can't say that everyone born in 1992 or 1982 belongs to this generation anywhere in the world. Each country has its own history," he explained. Jayeel Cornelio has discussed generational labels in the Philippines, highlighting how these labels can shape societal perceptions and expectations of different age groups. He emphasizes that terms like "Millennials" or "Gen Z" often carry stereotypes that can both inform and misinform how we understand the behaviors, values, and aspirations of these generations. Cornelio suggests that while generational labels can help in discussing trends and cultural shifts, they might oversimplify the diverse experiences within each cohort. He advocates for a more nuanced understanding that considers the socio-economic, cultural, and political contexts influencing each generation's identity in the Philippines.

## Academic positions

* Professor, Ateneo de Manila University
* Former director, Development Studies Program, Ateneo de Manila University