About the Author

Dr. Stephen Haliczer is Presidential Research Professor Emeritus at Northern Illinois University and has published six books and articles on the Inquisition and other topics in church history.

Since the late 1980’s Professor Stephen Haliczer has been a pioneer in the use of computer driven analysis of historical phenomena. As one of the recognized leaders of the “new Inquisition scholarship,” he used sophisticated computer programs to analyze and compare vast amounts of inquisition data for his last three books: Inquisition and Society in the Kingdom of Valencia, Sexuality in the Confessional and From Exaltation to Infamy: Female Mystics in the Golden Age of Spain.

In the late 1990’s, Professor Haliczer expanded his interest in using computers for research to creating videogames and simulations for online learning. An experimental video game project simulating criminal trials in early modern tribunals (Four Early Modern Trials) led to the creation and development of Vatican: The Board Game which was published in 2007 by The College of DuPage Press.  Vatican: The Board Game is the first ever simulation of a papal election. “Vatican” quickly established a world-wide market and has been very favorably reviewed.  Dr. Haliczer and his collaborators keep the game up-to-date through the innovative use of e-cards, i.e. new game cards available at no charge on the web.  

Explore Church History is Professor Haliczer’s latest project, a constantly expanding, interactive website for anyone interested in the history of Christianity and Catholicism.  This sophisticated database is designed to serve a wide audience including the general public, students in high school through graduate school, clergy, religious study/discussion groups and instructors in religious studies.