Christopher W. Jones

Dr. Christopher W. Jones serves as an Assistant Professor of History at Union University, where he joined the faculty in 2023. His academic specialization centers on the history of the ancient world, with particular expertise in the Neo-Assyrian empire (930-612 BC). Prior to Union, he taught at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina, and held a postdoctoral position at the Centre of Excellence in Ancient Near Eastern Empires (ANEE) at the University of Helsinki in Finland.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in History from Columbia University
• M.A. in Biblical Archaeology from Wheaton College
• B.A. in Peace, War, & Defense and History from the University of North Carolina

Dr. Jones's research focuses on imperial administration, cultural responses to living under empire, trade connections, and the influence of the Neo-Assyrian empire on Biblical history. His current book project, The Structure of the Late Assyrian State, examines the changing political structure of the Assyrian Empire during its final century. His methodology increasingly incorporates social network analysis to understand court dynamics, while his work bridges ancient history with contemporary issues through analyses of cultural heritage destruction by groups like ISIS.

His scholarly output demonstrates a clear trajectory toward examining power structures within the Neo-Assyrian Empire, with recent publications showing sophisticated interdisciplinary approaches that combine historical analysis with political science and archaeology. His work maintains relevance to modern geopolitical challenges through examinations of cultural heritage destruction and national identity formation.

Dr. Jones received the International Association for Assyriology Prize for Best First Article in 2024 for his work on Sennacherib's assassination. His publications appear in respected journals including the Journal of Ancient Near Eastern History, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Avar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Life and Society in the Ancient Near East.

While specific advising details aren't extensively documented, his active publication record and conference presentations at major venues like the American Society of Overseas Research and Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meetings indicate significant scholarly engagement. His work bridges academic history with public discourse through contributions to platforms like HyperAllergic.

Based in PAC J-9H at Union University, Dr. Jones contributes to the College of Arts & Sciences' mission of integrating Christ-centered academic excellence with historical scholarship, serving as part of a learning community that combines top-tier academics with Christian faith across numerous programs of study.