Jarrod Whitaker

Jarrod Whitaker is a Professor in the Department for the Study of Religions at Wake Forest University, specializing in Asian Religions (especially Hinduism and Buddhism), ritual studies, and gender theory. He served as Director of the MA Program in Religious Studies (2011–2019) and was core faculty in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (2015–2017). His research bridges ancient Indian religious practices with modern theoretical frameworks.

Education: M.A. (Religious Studies, University of Canterbury, 1998) and Ph.D. (Asian Cultures and Languages, University of Texas at Austin, 2005).

Research focuses on masculinity, violence, body politics, and hate speech in ancient India. His work includes monographs like Strong Arms and Drinking Strength (2011), edited volumes such as A Cultural History of Hinduism in Antiquity (2024), and a forthcoming monograph on ancient Indian poetry and political rhetoric.

No awards listed. His advising/grants section remains unpopulated due to lack of explicit details in text. His research lab/teams are not explicitly mentioned.