Patton Burchett

Patton Burchett is a Professor of Religious Studies at the College of William and Mary. His research focuses on early modern North Indian devotional (bhakti) and tantric/yogic religiosity, the interrelations of magic, science, and religion in Indian modernity, and Hindu-Christian nationalisms. He is the author of A Genealogy of Devotion: Bhakti, Tantra, Yoga, and Sufism in North India (2019), which examines the historical interactions between these religious traditions. Burchett’s current projects include a study of the Indian yogi-fakir figure in colonial discourse and a collaborative research initiative exploring contemplative practices through interdisciplinary lenses. He also participates in the Nepal Water Initiative, investigating indigenous environmental knowledge and religious dimensions of water conservation. His teaching covers topics such as Hinduism, religion and politics, yoga, and tantric studies.

• Research Areas: Bhakti Traditions, Tantra, Sufism, Colonial Discourse, Religion & Ecology
• Grants: 2023 Collaborative grant on contemplative practices; Nepal water conservation grant

His work bridges historical analysis, ethnography, and interdisciplinary collaboration, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between religious thought and socio-political contexts.