Ellen Posman

Dr. Ellen Posman is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Religion at Baldwin Wallace University, Ohio. She also chairs the Faith & Life program and holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from Stanford University. Her research focuses on comparative religion, particularly Asian religions and Judaism, with specialties in exile/diaspora studies, Buddhism, and religious violence. She has conducted ethnographic research in India, Nepal, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Taiwan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, exploring topics like Theravada Buddhist nuns' ordination rights and the intersection of religion with globalization.

Posman’s teaching spans introductory religion courses to specialized topics such as Asian religions, religion and violence, and women in religion. She led a study-abroad initiative to India (2007–2008) examining religion’s role in poverty and development. Her work emphasizes civic engagement pedagogy, including contributions to the Spotlight on Teaching section of Religious Studies News. She co-edited a special journal issue on religious communities in exile and has published widely on Buddhism, interfaith dialogue, and religious pedagogy.

Posman’s research has been funded by grants, including an NEH summer seminar on classical Buddhist texts. She is featured in the documentary Bhikkhuni: Buddhism, Sri Lanka, Revolution, highlighting her expertise on Theravada nuns. Her academic service includes roles as a reviewer for the American Academy of Religion and collaborative projects on transnational pedagogy and interfaith engagement.