Pepperdine University Awards Professors Marteno Harjoto and J. Christopher Soper the Stephen D. Davis Award for Scholarly Achievement
Pepperdine University recently honored two faculty members—Maretno Harjoto, a professor of finance at the Graziadio Business School and J. Christopher Soper, a Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Seaver College—with the Stephen D. Davis Award for Scholarly Achievement.
This esteemed University recognition is given annually to a pair of professors—one from the undergraduate level and one from the graduate level—who have made significant contributions to Pepperdine’s growing research reputation. The award specifically celebrates the scholarly productivity and leadership displayed by Harjoto and Soper throughout their tenure at the University.
“The Stephen D. Davis Award for Scholarly Achievement is the highest research honor Pepperdine can bestow upon its distinguished faculty,” said Jay Brewster, the provost and chief academic officer at Pepperdine. “Dr. Harjoto and Dr. Soper, our most recent awardees, are both excellent examples of how our institution can contribute to the quest for new knowledge and change the world through impactful studies.”
Maretno Harjoto
Maretno Harjoto’s research focuses on the environmental, social, and governance impact of large corporations. Specifically, his work analyses how corporate companies can affect the broader society with their objectives, ethics, and practices.
“My research is inspired by my upbringing,” says Harjoto. “I experienced discrimination growing up in Indonesia as a person of Chinese ethnicity. As a result, I want my work to benefit a social cause, to demonstrate that no one is less valuable than someone else.”
Over the course of his academic career, Harjoto has published a total of 135 scholarly articles, earning him 12,292 citations. In 2025 alone, the Graziadio Business professor published seven different academic studies and achieved his highest annual rate of citations with 1,698. An expert in his field, Harjoto’s research has earned media coverage from The New York Times, as well as a number of honors, including the inaugural S&P Global Academic ESG Research Award.
“Dr. Harjoto is an accomplished and deeply impactful scholar whose research influence and commitment to excellence elevates our entire academic community,” says Deborah Crown, dean of Pepperdine’s Graziadio Business School. “At the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School we are truly honored to have him shaping the current and next generation of values-centered business leaders. His scholarship, integrity, and service exemplify the very best of who we are.”
Looking forward, Harjoto plans to continue investigating how corporations can address pressing social challenges, particularly how to employ artificial intelligence in corporate decision-making and policies in ways that align with business and social ethics.
“Dr. Harjoto is highly deserving of this award,” says Lila Carlsen, Pepperdine University’s vice provost. “His research productivity, ability to publish in top-tier journals, and the undeniable impact of his work all distinguish him as a great scholar and masterful educator.”
J. Christopher Soper
Christopher Soper’s research asks questions about how governments and individuals around the globe balance political rule with religious order—a topic that has fascinated him since his days as an undergraduate student.
“To some extent, my scholarship is autobiography,” says Soper. “I personally wrestle with the issues that I research. Fortunately for me, these questions are never fully answered, which is just a fancy way of saying that they’re ripe for exploration, and I've had the opportunity to do that in my career at Pepperdine.”
Throughout his tenure at Seaver College, Soper has published eight books in addition to numerous journal articles, book chapters, and book reviews. His research often takes him around the world, where he interviews political and religious leaders to gain new insights into their perspectives and practices. In the midst of his writing process, Soper frequently collaborates with other Seaver College professors such as Joel Fetzer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, in order to gain an informed, interdisciplinary perspective on how to craft a scholarly work.
“Chris Soper’s scholarship on religion and politics not only enhances Seaver College’s research reputation, but it also sheds new light on the relationship between two highly influential aspects of modern culture,” said Lee Kats, dean of Seaver College. “In both his classes and his research he helps our students understand the important cultural intersection that his scholarship is focused on.”
Soper also uses his research as an educational tool. For example, he recruited students who spoke foreign languages to help him identify and analyze primary documents while writing his most recent book, Religion and Nationalism in Global Perspective. By involving undergraduates in his work, Soper furthers Seaver College’s academic mission, providing students with the opportunity to learn experientially.
“We are honored by Dr. Soper's scholarship at Pepperdine, where he is a highly regarded professor in the Social Science Division of Seaver College,” says Carlsen. “Dr. Soper's extensive scholarly work and dedicated efforts as an educator help make him uniquely worthy of the Stephen Davis Award.”
About the Award
The Stephen D. Davis Award for Scholarly Achievement was created in honor of the career of Seaver College Professor Emeritus of Biology Stephen Davis. Davis, who served as a professor of biology throughout his tenure at Seaver, was a prolific scholar and an impactful educator. For decades, he used his passion for field research to inspire learning in undergraduate students.
Davis continues to conduct scholarly research alongside Seaver College students today. In total, he has produced 97 research publications that focus on the biology of plants native to Southern California.
Nominations are currently open for the 2026 award. Faculty may be nominated by a peer or may submit their own file for consideration. Nominations are due by March 31, 2026, for this year’s award. More information on the Stephen D. Davis Award and the selection criteria is available on the award website.