About
Richard Newton is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama, where he explores the intersection of scriptures, identity politics, and cultural formation. He also serves as the Undergraduate Director and is a member of the department’s executive committee.
Education
- PhD in Critical Comparative Scriptures, Claremont Graduate University
Dr. Newton’s research focuses on how scriptures shape and are shaped by social identities, cultural boundaries, and power dynamics. His work spans topics such as African American history, the New Testament in Western imagination, American cultural politics, and pedagogy in religious studies. He emphasizes the use of social theory, digital humanities, and comparative analysis to interrogate the production and function of sacred texts.
He is a founding member of the research groups Culture on the Edge, The Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts, and The Institute for Signifying Scriptures. Additionally, he edits the Bulletin for the Study of Religion and is known for innovative teaching practices that integrate digital tools and cooperative learning.
