Find Academic Supervisors

Annette Yoshiko Reed is the Krister Stendahl Professor of Divinity and Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School (HDS). She joined HDS in 2022 after roles at New York University, the University of Pennsylvania, and McMaster University. Her expertise spans Second Temple Judaism, early Christianity, and Jewish-Christian relations, with a focus on how ancient texts shape identity and difference. Key research areas include apocalypses, demonology, and the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. She has authored or co-authored books such as Fallen Angels and the History of Judaism and Christianity and Demons, Angels, and Writing in Ancient Judaism . Education: BA from McGill University, MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and MA/PhD from Princeton University. Her work integrates Biblical Studies, Patristics, Jewish Studies, and Classics. She serves on the editorial boards of Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism and Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha , and chairs the Society of Biblical Literature’s “Jewish Christianity/Christian Judaism” section. A Fellow of the American Academy of Jewish Research, her current project explores the cultural power of forgetting in ancient Jewish history. Her research highlights marginalized writings like 1 Enoch and Pseudo-Clementine literature to bridge Jewish and Christian histories. Recent publications include studies on Enochic reception, rabbinic historiography, and demonology in ancient texts. She teaches at both HDS and Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

• Second Temple Judaism
• Early Christianity
• Jewish-Christian Relations
• +7 more

Amy G. Remensnyder is Professor of History and Giancarlo Family Provost's Professor of History at Brown University, where she has taught since 1993. She also holds the Royce Family Professor of Teaching Excellence title, reflecting her commitment to pedagogy. Her research focuses on medieval Europe, particularly the cultural and religious history of the Mediterranean, with emphasis on Muslim-Christian relations, monastic memory, and the global history of captivity. PhD, University of California, Berkeley (1992) A.B. summa cum laude, Harvard University (1983) Additional studies at Cambridge University and École des Hautes Études, Paris Her research interests include medieval Iberia, colonial Mexico, religious symbolism, transcultural history, and the role of memory in identity formation. She explores how religious figures like the Virgin Mary functioned as symbols of conquest, conversion, and interfaith entanglement. Her work bridges medieval and early modern periods, challenging disciplinary boundaries and incorporating insights from art history, anthropology, and literary studies. Her recent articles reveal a sustained engagement with themes of religious coexistence, sacred space, and cross-cultural devotion in the Mediterranean world. She examines how Muslim and Christian sailors shared shrines, how Moriscos developed their own Marian scriptures, and how Mary symbolized both war and diplomacy. Her scholarship combines deep archival research with theoretical sophistication, contributing to fields such as oceanic history, borderland studies, and the history of emotion. Van Courtland Elliott Prize (Medieval Academy of America) Fellow, Medieval Academy of America Berlin Prize, American Academy in Berlin Guggenheim Fellowship ACLS/SSRC/NEH Fellowship William G. McLoughlin Award for Teaching Excellence Remensnyder has directed major research initiatives and served on editorial boards, including Al-Masāq: Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean . She founded and directs the Brown History Education Prison Project, reflecting her commitment to engaged scholarship. She has received funding from the Swearer Center and has developed innovative courses on captivity and medieval lyric. Her leadership includes directing Brown’s Program in Medieval Studies (2010–2012) and serving on the Medieval Academy of America’s council. She is currently working on three book projects: Island of Trust in a Sea of Danger: Lampedusa , a maritime microhistory; Neighbors: Life in a Medieval Borderland , an archival study of Muslim-Christian relations in Iberia; and A Global History of Captivity , a synthetic overview of captivity across time and space.

• Medieval History
• Cultural History
• Religious History
• +13 more

Grant MacAskill is the Kirby Laing Chair of New Testament Exegesis at the University of Aberdeen. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews (2005). His research focuses on New Testament studies, early Judaism, Enochic traditions, and the intersection of theology with autism and disability studies. He has authored influential books such as Union with Christ in the New Testament and Autism and the Church , and co-edits the Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha series with Brill. Awards include the British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2021) for his project on 2 Enoch and a John Templeton Foundation grant (2014) for work on intellectual humility in the New Testament. Research interests span participatory theology, biblical ethics, and the application of New Testament thought to contemporary issues like neurodiversity. He co-directs the Centre for Autism and Theology, promoting inclusive theological engagement. His recent publications address topics such as Enochic literature in late antiquity, biblical interpretation in autism studies, and early Christian apocalyptic thought. Grants and fellowships include major support for projects like The Entangled Enoch and interdisciplinary work on disability and religion. MacAskill’s academic service includes editorial roles at journals like New Testament Studies and Journal of Disability & Religion . He has advised on projects ranging from grave goods practices to ethical biotechnology, applying biblical insights to modern dilemmas. His work bridges historical exegesis, systematic theology, and practical theology, emphasizing theological engagement with marginalized communities and ethical challenges.

• New Testament Studies
• Early Judaism
• Enochic Literature
• +4 more

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His work focuses on New Testament textual criticism, early Christian apocrypha, and the historical Jesus. Ehrman holds a Ph.D. (1985) and M.Div. (1981) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a B.A. (1978) from Wheaton College. His research explores the evolution of early Christian texts, the role of forgery in ancient polemics, and the intersection of religion with social history. Notable publications include How Jesus Became God , Misquoting Jesus , and God’s Problem , many of which have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. Ehrman has received awards such as the Religious Liberty Award (2011) and the Bowman and Gordon Gray Professorship (1998–2001). He teaches courses on the New Testament, early Christian apocrypha, and textual criticism, and has produced numerous online lectures and media appearances. His current projects include a study on millenarianism ( Expecting Armageddon ) and advocacy through his Biblical Studies Academy.

• New Testament Studies
• Early Christian Apocrypha
• Historical Jesus
• +3 more

Jennie Grillo is an Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, affiliated with the College of Arts and Letters. She holds a DPhil, MSt, and MA from Oxford University. Her primary research focuses on Christianity and Judaism in antiquity, particularly the Old Testament's interpretation within Christian theology and the history of Israelite religion. Grillo’s work bridges biblical studies, patristic exegesis, and reception history. Key publications include *Daniel After Babylon* (OUP, 2024) and *The Story of Israel in the Book of Qohelet* (OUP, 2012), which won the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award. Current research explores divine incorporeality in the Hebrew Bible, with interests in wisdom literature, liturgical reception, and early biblical print traditions. Grillo has held fellowships from ACLS, the Louisville Institute, and the National Humanities Center. Her teaching emphasizes Hebrew Bible/Old Testament studies, reflecting her expertise in ancient Near Eastern thought and early Jewish-Christian interpretation.

• Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity
• Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Interpretation
• Second Temple Judaism
• +5 more

Mark Goodacre is a Professor of Religious Studies at Duke University. His research focuses on New Testament studies, Christian origins, and the Synoptic Problem. He is known for his critical engagement with the Q hypothesis and advocacy of the Farrer theory. His work integrates textual analysis with historical, literary, and digital methodologies. Goodacre maintains an active online presence through his NT Blog and NT Pod podcast, which explore biblical scholarship and contemporary religious themes. Key research areas include Gospel composition, early Christian literature, and intertextuality between canonical and apocryphal texts. His analysis of the Synoptic Gospels challenges traditional source-critical frameworks, emphasizing Markan priority and Luke's dependence on Matthew. He also examines early Christian reinterpretations of biblical narratives, such as the Magdalene tradition and Passion accounts. Goodacre’s publications span biblical criticism, apocryphal texts, and media reception of religious narratives. He critiques methodological assumptions in historical Jesus studies and advocates for rigorous engagement with textual evidence. His contributions bridge academic scholarship and public education through accessible digital platforms.

• Religious Studies
• New Testament Studies
• Christian Origins
• +4 more

Janet Spittler is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, College of Arts and Sciences. Her work focuses on early Christian literature, particularly the Christian Apocrypha and Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles, situating these texts within their Greco-Roman cultural and literary contexts. Education: BA from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, MA and PhD from University of Chicago. Her research explores the diversity of early Christianity, literary analysis of apocryphal texts, and interdisciplinary connections between religion and classical antiquity. She has authored works on animal symbolism in early Christian narratives and narrative techniques like metalepsis. Recent publications include translations and commentaries on the Apocryphal Acts of Thomas, studies of miracle traditions, and interdisciplinary analyses of paradoxography in Christian texts. She co-edits major academic series such as Early Christian Apocrypha and serves as associate editor for Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament . Senior Fellow, Institute for Advanced Studies: Beyond Canon Centre (2019-2020) Humboldt Foundation Renewed Research Fellowship (2016) Humboldt Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2010-2011) Janet also contributes to academic service through editorial roles and teaches courses on New Testament, the Gospels, Paul, religions of the Roman Empire, and ancient Greek popular literature.

• New Testament
• Early Christian Literature
• Christian Apocrypha
• +3 more

Jeremy W. Barrier is a Professor of Biblical Literature at Heritage Christian University, where he teaches courses in the New Testament, early Christianity, Greek, and Old Testament Studies. He is also a missions minister for the Madison (AL) Church of Christ, actively supporting churches across Europe, Asia, and South America. He regularly teaches in leadership training programs in India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Peru. His research focuses on the Pauline Epistles (especially Galatians and Corinthians), second-century ancient Christian novels like the Acts of Paul and Thecla, and Coptology. He has conducted extensive research on the Gospel of Judas and the concept of pneuma in early Christian thought. His scholarly work reflects a deep engagement with textual, historical, and social-scientific analysis of early Christian literature. The 15 most recent publications reveal a consistent focus on Pauline theology, particularly in Galatians, with recurring themes such as pneuma, circumcision, the evil eye, asceticism, and the reception of apocryphal texts. His research bridges biblical studies, patristics, and ancient philosophy, often employing interdisciplinary methods from social-scientific criticism and physiological theology. Scientific Awards and Honors: Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (2012–13, 2018, 2023) Nominated Member of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (SNTS) Dr. Barrier has advised and collaborated on several academic projects, including co-editing major volumes on Thecla and contributing to encyclopedic works. He has received external research funding through competitive fellowships. While no formal graduate students are listed, his editorial and presentation roles indicate active academic mentorship and leadership. He has been involved with research groups such as the Berlin–Leuven–Regensburg Oberseminar and the Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät Oberseminar at the University of Regensburg, where he conducted research under Humboldt fellowships. These affiliations reflect his integration into international scholarly networks focused on New Testament and patristic studies.

• New Testament Studies
• Early Christianity
• Pauline Epistles
• +12 more

Stephen Hopkins is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, specializing in medieval literature with a focus on early English texts within their North Sea cultural context. His research examines how religious ideas developed in medieval Northern Europe through vernacular apocryphal texts, particularly exploring concepts of hell and local theological experimentation. He is currently completing a book, *Translating Hell*, analyzing apocryphal hell narratives in the North Sea region. His work bridges manuscript studies, oral tradition, and global perspectives on medieval literature. Education: Ph.D. in English, Indiana University, Bloomington (2019) M.A. in English, Indiana University, Bloomington (2015) B.A. in English, Miami University (OH) (2011) Research Interests: Hopkins investigates how medieval writers used non-canonical texts as 'experimental spaces' to address theological and identity questions. He explores intersections between oral and scribal cultures, manuscript transmission, and the regional adaptation of Christian ideas. Current projects include a collected edition of Old English apocrypha and studies of the Legends of the Holy Rood. Teaching & Awards: Known for innovative pedagogy, he has received awards such as the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (UCF, 2023) and a Telly Award for educational videos on medieval sagas. His teaching incorporates digital tools like role-playing games to engage students with medieval themes. Funding & Projects: Recipient of NEH Fellowships (2024), Mellon Foundation support, and grants from the American Scandinavian Foundation. Collaborates on *e-Clavis: A Dictionary of Apocrypha* and *The Sources of Old English and Anglo-Latin Literary Culture* projects.

• Medieval Studies
• Old English Literature
• North Sea Context Literature
• +6 more

Stephen Shoemaker is Professor and Department Head of Religious Studies at the University of Oregon within the College of Arts and Sciences. A specialist in the history of Christianity and the beginnings of Islam, his academic focus centers on early Byzantine and Near Eastern Christianity, with particular emphasis on early devotion to the Virgin Mary, Christian apocryphal literature, and the relations between Near Eastern Christianity and formative Islam. His scholarly profile includes expertise across multiple ancient languages including Greek, Latin, Coptic, Syriac, Georgian, Armenian, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Hebrew, which enables him to work directly with primary sources across religious traditions. His research program integrates historical-critical analysis with attention to the material dimensions of religious texts and practices. Shoemaker's publications reveal a scholarly trajectory from early work on Marian traditions to broader investigations of Islamic origins and apocalyptic literature in late antiquity. His research demonstrates consistent engagement with the complex interplay between religious traditions in the Near East during the transition from late antiquity to the early medieval period. His scholarly contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards: John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation fellowship Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowship American Council of Learned Societies fellowship National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship Institute for Advanced Study fellowship National Humanities Center fellowship Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University fellowship Rockefeller Foundation fellowship Deutsche Forschungsgemeinde fellowship As an educator, Shoemaker teaches courses on medieval humanities, the history of Eastern Christianity, Islamic origins, and apocalypticism. He has secured over $1,000,000 in research funding throughout his career and serves as Editor of the Journal of Early Christian Studies, contributing significantly to scholarly discourse in his field.

• History of Christianity
• Early Byzantine Christianity
• Near Eastern Christianity
• +6 more

Matthew Goff is a Professor of Religion and Distinguished Research Professor at Florida State University, affiliated with the Department of Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences. He specializes in ancient Judaism, particularly the Dead Sea Scrolls, Apocalypticism, and Second Temple Judaism. Goff holds degrees from Harvard Divinity School (M.T.S., 1997) and the University of Chicago (Ph.D., 2002). His research explores the intersection of wisdom literature, apocalyptic traditions, and ancient Jewish thought. His notable works include The Apocrypha: A Guide (2024) and 4QInstruction (2013). He has received awards such as the Developing Scholar Award from FSU (2011) and held fellowships in Munich (2013-14). Goff has supervised numerous doctoral dissertations and contributed to over 150 refereed publications, book chapters, and edited volumes. His teaching spans courses on the Dead Sea Scrolls, Enochic literature, and ancient religious texts. Goff’s research interests emphasize the cultural and textual dynamics of ancient Jewish wisdom traditions, demons, and apocalyptic narratives. He actively participates in academic organizations like the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion.

• Apocalypticism
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• Second Temple Judaism
• +4 more

Dr. Jenny Labendz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at St. Francis College (SFC), where she has taught since 2018. She also serves as Director of the Women's and Gender Studies program. Her academic foundation includes a B.A. from Barnard College, an M.A. from Hebrew University, and a Ph.D. from The Jewish Theological Seminary. Her research specializes in ancient Jewish literature and religion through a comparative lens, with current focus on rabbinic eschatology—examining how Talmudic rabbis conceptualized the end of the world. Additional interests include non-Jewish representations in rabbinic texts, gender studies, and the intersection of early Jewish and Christian thought. Publications reflect sustained exploration of rabbinic intellectual culture, with recent works analyzing eschatological themes (e.g., 2021 and 2017 articles) and earlier studies on intercultural dynamics in ancient religious texts. Teaching encompasses courses on Hebrew Bible, Judaism, world religions, and honors seminars like 'End of the World' and 'Brooklyn Jews.' As program director, she oversees interdisciplinary initiatives in Women's and Gender Studies, integrating this focus with her humanities scholarship. No awards, grants, or student advisement details are documented.

• Jewish Studies
• Ancient Jewish Literature
• Rabbinic Eschatology
• +3 more

Lance Jenott is a Senior Lecturer in Classics and Religious Studies and Director of Religious Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. He holds a PhD from Princeton University. His research focuses on Ancient Christianity, Second Temple Judaism, Biblical Studies, Classical Civilizations, and the Greek and Coptic languages. Jenott is particularly known for his work on the Gospel of Judas and the Nag Hammadi Codices. Education: PhD, Princeton University. Research interests include New Testament origins, early Christian teachings on sexuality, and the intersection of classical and religious studies. His book The Gospel of Judas offers a critical edition and interpretation of this second-century text, challenging traditional Gnostic interpretations to highlight its critique of early Christian clergy. Recent publications include studies on Coptic manuscripts, textual criticism of New Testament variants, and the monastic context of ancient religious texts. He collaborates with scholars like Hugo Lundhaug on projects exploring early Christian and Jewish literature. Jenott teaches courses on early Christian sexuality, ancient religions, and monastic literature. He is set to represent the U.S. at the 2025 Coptic Summer School in Rome, reflecting his expertise in Coptic texts.

• Ancient Christianity
• Second Temple Judaism
• Biblical Studies
• +3 more

Christine Thomas serves as Professor and Cordano Endowed Chair in Catholic Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara's Department of Religious Studies, where she also directs the Ancient Mediterranean Studies Program. With over two decades of academic leadership, she bridges Religious Studies, Classics, History, Art History, and Anthropology through interdisciplinary collaboration. Ph.D., Harvard University Junior Fellow, Harvard Society of Fellows (1993-1996) Her research pioneers the integration of archaeological evidence with religious studies, focusing on Early Christianity's urban context and material dimensions of Roman Imperial religion. Thomas revolutionized understanding of Anatolian religious landscapes through 20 years of Southwestern Turkey fieldwork, demonstrating how spatial analysis reveals hidden Christian communities and hybrid religious identities. She examines how objects, spaces, and practices construct religious meaning in multicultural Roman cities like Ephesus and Corinth. Thomas' publication trajectory shows consistent innovation in methodological approaches, evolving from textual analysis of early Christian literature toward material culture studies. Her recent work emphasizes geophysical survey techniques to de-center traditional Pauline narratives and examines how monumental architecture expressed religious identity at urban boundaries. The recurring themes include the interplay between local Anatolian traditions and Roman Imperial religion, death ritual as social commentary, and spatial strategies for religious distinction. Junior Fellow, Harvard Society of Fellows (1993-1996) Visiting Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa Society (2013-2014) As Director of the Ancient Mediterranean Studies Program and leader of the Colloquia on Material Culture and Ancient Religion (COMCAR), Thomas fosters international scholarly collaboration through Mediterranean archaeological site seminars. She has secured significant institutional support through endowed chairs and society affiliations, enabling sustained fieldwork at Ephesos and Metropolis. Her academic leadership includes service on the Society of Biblical Literature Executive Committee (2010-2016) and development of interdisciplinary grant-funded research initiatives connecting archaeology with religious studies. Thomas directs the Colloquia on Material Culture and Ancient Religion (COMCAR), organizing advanced study seminars at major Mediterranean archaeological sites. Her research team integrates archaeologists, classicists, and religious studies scholars to develop new frameworks for analyzing religious materiality, with ongoing projects examining Ephesian urban topography and Anatolian funerary practices.

• Early Christianity
• Religions of the Roman Empire
• Archaeology of Religion
• +3 more

Matthias Henze is the Isla Carroll and Percy E. Turner Professor of Biblical Studies and Founding Director of Rice University’s Program in Jewish Studies, where he has taught since 1997. His work bridges Hebrew Bible scholarship, early Jewish literature, and Syriac studies, focusing on texts outside the canonical Bible such as the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and Dead Sea Scrolls. Ph.D., Harvard University (1997) M.A., Harvard University (1996) Master of Divinity, University of Heidelberg (1992) Research Interests Dr. Henze’s research centers on the literary history of early Judaism, apocalyptic literature, biblical ethics, textual transmission, and the history of biblical interpretation. He emphasizes the interconnections between canonical and non-canonical texts from the Second Temple period (4th century BCE–2nd century CE). Key Academic Contributions He has authored and edited nine major works, including a critical commentary on 2 Baruch and a three-volume analysis of the textual history of the Deuterocanonical scriptures. His publications reflect a commitment to making ancient texts accessible to modern audiences while maintaining scholarly rigor. Awards & Recognition George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching (2009, 2010, 2015) Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Prize (2003) Graduate Student Association Teaching and Mentoring Award (2015) John Freeman Faculty Teaching and Mentoring Award (2022) Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, Teaching, and Service (2019) Leadership & Innovation In 2009, he founded Rice’s Program in Jewish Studies, fostering interdisciplinary research on Jewish cultures from antiquity to the present. He co-founded the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives in 2017 to preserve regional Jewish heritage and has led initiatives on antisemitism studies.

• Hebrew Bible
• Judaism of the Second Temple period
• Apocalyptic Literature
• +5 more