Michael Lamb

Michael Lamb is the F. M. Kirby Foundation Chair of Leadership and Character, associate professor of interdisciplinary humanities, and executive director of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. He is also a research fellow with the Oxford Character Project, reflecting his international scholarly engagement. His academic work bridges philosophy, theology, and political theory, with a focus on moral and civic life.

Michael Lamb is Princeton- and Oxford-trained, reflecting elite academic preparation in moral and political philosophy. His research centers on the ethics of citizenship and the role of virtues in public life, especially the virtue of hope. He critically reinterprets Augustine of Hippo not as a political pessimist but as a thinker who advocates for realistic, civic hope that resists both presumption and despair. His scholarship engages deeply with political theory, religious studies, theology, and philosophy.

His publications include the award-winning A Commonwealth of Hope: Augustine’s Political Thought (2022), which has received widespread acclaim for its innovative reading of Augustine, as well as co-edited volumes such as Cultivating Virtue in the University and Everyday Ethics. These works explore character formation in higher education and the moral dimensions of everyday practices, respectively. His publications reveal a consistent interdisciplinary approach, drawing from theology, philosophy, and the social sciences to address contemporary ethical challenges.

• Award-winning professor

Michael Lamb is a sought-after speaker on character, hope in politics, and St. Augustine, having delivered keynotes and a commencement address. He has taught interdisciplinary courses in politics, ethics, and religion at Oxford, Princeton, Rhodes, and Wake Forest, demonstrating broad pedagogical impact. While no specific students or grants are mentioned, his leadership of the Program for Leadership and Character suggests significant administrative and educational responsibility. He is also active on social media and public intellectual platforms, extending his influence beyond academia.

He is affiliated with the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, a research and educational initiative focused on developing ethical leadership and character in students and communities. His work with the Oxford Character Project further underscores his role in a global network of scholars dedicated to advancing character education.