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Lynna Dhanani is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Letters and Science. She joined the faculty in Fall 2020 and holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Religious Studies, Yale University M.A. and M.Phil. in Religious Studies, Yale University M.A. in History of Religion, University of Virginia B.A. in International Relations and Religion, George Washington University Her research focuses on the intersection of religious traditions in medieval India, with particular emphasis on Jainism. She explores interreligious polemics, philosophical debates, devotional themes, and poetic expression in Sanskrit hymns, especially those of the twelfth-century Jain scholar Hemacandra. Her broader interests include Sanskrit and Prakrit literature, Indian alchemical traditions, yoga and tantra, Indian philosophy, and South Asian religious art. She employs interdisciplinary methods that combine textual analysis, philology, and field-based ethnographic and archival research. Lynna Dhanani was awarded the Jambuvijaya Memorial Fellowship by the Jain eLibrary, which supported her 2019–20 fieldwork in India. During this period, she documented the life and scholarly contributions of Muni Jambuvijaya (1923–2009), a pivotal Jain monastic figure. Her work involved cataloging manuscripts, preserving texts, and conducting interviews with members of the monastic and academic communities. This project highlights her commitment to both historical scholarship and the preservation of religious knowledge. She advises students and contributes to academic mentorship within the Religious Studies department, though specific advisees are not listed. Her fellowship represents significant recognition in her field and may be linked to grant-funded research on Jain monastic scholarship and manuscript preservation. Lynna Dhanani is actively involved in archival and field research, particularly in northwest India, where she collaborates with Jain monastic communities and academic institutions to preserve and study rare Sanskrit and Prakrit texts. Her work bridges academic scholarship with lived religious practice and institutional knowledge preservation.

• Jainism
• Sanskrit and Prakrit Language and Literature
• Medieval Indian Alchemical Traditions
• +12 more

Brian A. Hatcher is the Packard Professor of Theology and a Professor in the Department of Religion at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on modern and contemporary Hinduism, particularly in colonial and postcolonial South Asia, with a specialization in Bengal and Sanskrit learning. Education: PhD, Harvard University (1992) MA, Harvard University (1986) MDiv, Yale University (1984) BA, Carleton College (1980) Research Interests: Dr. Hatcher explores Hinduism's transformation during colonial periods, focusing on figures like Ishvarchandra Vidyasagar and movements such as the Swaminarayan Sampraday and Brahmo Samaj. His work challenges traditional reform narratives by analyzing religious polities and vernacular modernity. Recent projects include mapping the Dasnami Sampraday's historical influence in Bengal and completing an annotated translation of Vidyasagar's Bahu-bibaho ("Against High-Caste Polygamy"). Awards & Grants: Packard Professor of Theology American Academy of Religion Individual Research Grant (2020) Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship (2006) American Philosophical Society Fellowship Teaching: Courses include 'Modern Hinduism,' 'Religion and Colonialism in South Asia,' and 'Hindu-Christian Studies.' Key Publications: Hinduism Before Reform (Harvard UP, 2020) Idioms of Improvement (Primus Books, 2020) "Daśanāmī samādhis in West Bengal" (Journal of Hindu Studies, 2021) His work bridges historical analysis, textual criticism, and colonial-era social dynamics.

• Modern and contemporary Hinduism
• Religion and colonialism in South Asia
• Bengal studies
• +3 more

Michael S. Allen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. His work bridges philosophy and religion in South Asia, with broader interests in global philosophy and environmental ethics. He specializes in the intellectual history of Advaita Vedānta, utilizing Sanskrit and early Hindi sources. Allen earned his PhD from Harvard University, MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and BA from the University of South Carolina. His research explores how South Asian perspectives, particularly vernacular texts, shape contemporary understandings of human-environment relationships and ethics. Key themes include: Advaita Vedānta's social history Vernacular and Persian Vedānta Environmental ethics and climate action Hindu-Buddhist debates Global philosophy of religion His publications highlight trends in Advaita Vedānta's global influence, the integration of vernacular traditions into scholarly canons, and cross-cultural dialogues on divine infinitude and idolatry. Recent scholarship (2017–2022) emphasizes inclusivism in Vedantic doxographies, environmental stewardship, and synthesis of devotion and knowledge. Allen was a Mellon Fellow at UVa’s Institute of the Humanities & Global Cultures and co-founded the American Academy of Religion's Hindu Philosophy Unit. He advocates for pedagogy that respects non-Western epistemologies and addresses modern ecological challenges.

• Philosophy of Religion
• South Asian Philosophy
• Environmental Ethics
• +9 more

Nalini Rao is an Associate Professor of World Art at Soka University of America. Her academic career includes positions at the University of Southern California, University of Hawaii Hilo, and California State Universities. She specializes in Indian art, archaeology, and religious studies, focusing on Hindu monasteries, relic worship, and pre-modern royal iconography. Education: PhD in Art History from UCLA (1991), PhD in Ancient History and Archaeology from University of Mysore (1981), MA in History of Art from University of Marathwada (1973). Research Interests: Hindu monastic institutions, Buddhist art, royal iconography, and maritime archaeology. She explores intersections between art, religion, and power in pre-modern India. Key Themes in Publications: Analysis of Vijayanagara royal imagery, Jain architecture in Sravanabelagola, and ritual symbolism in South Indian festivals. Her work bridges archaeology, art history, and cultural anthropology. Awards: Includes the IGNCA Award for Narrative Art (2014), PBRC Research Award (2010), and multiple fellowships for art history research. Teaching & Outreach: Courses span World Art, Asian Art History, and contemporary visual culture. Curated exhibitions on Indus Valley Civilization and modern Indian art.

• Hindu Monasteries in South India
• Relic Worship in Hindu and Buddhist Monasteries
• Vrindavana and Buddhist Stupa
• +5 more

Michael Slouber is Professor and Chair of the Department of Humanities at Western Washington University’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies. He also serves as Major Advisor for the Humanities: History of Culture program and as advisor to minors in South & Southeast Asian Studies, Digital Humanities, Religion & Culture, African Studies, and Arabic & Islamic Studies. Education Ph.D. South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley Additional classical language training in Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit at Universität Hamburg Research Interests Slouber’s scholarship centers on early-medieval religions of India, with particular attention to the intersection of medicine, ritual, and the divine feminine . His work explores the history of Tantra, the evolution of goddess traditions, shamanic practices, and the textual transmission of healing technologies. He employs an interdisciplinary lens that blends philology, ethnography, art history, and digital humanities to illuminate South Asian religious cultures. Publication Trajectory Since 2007, Slouber has produced a steady stream of monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles that collectively chart the development of Tantric medicine and goddess worship. His 2017 monograph Early Tantric Medicine and 2021 edited volume A Garland of Forgotten Goddesses have become key reference points in the field. Recent pieces engage with Jaina Tantra, shamanic genealogies, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Asian religious life, demonstrating a continuous expansion of scope from textual studies to contemporary ethnographic concerns. Scientific Awards No specific awards were listed in the provided materials. Advising & Mentorship Slouber mentors undergraduate majors in Humanities: History of Culture and advises six distinct interdisciplinary minors. He offers language tutoring in Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Hindi-Urdu, and Nepali to highly motivated students and welcomes independent-study arrangements. Labs, Teams, and Digital Projects While no formal lab is mentioned, Slouber maintains an active academic blog and contributes to digital humanities initiatives that support open-access dissemination of South Asian manuscript materials and research resources.

• South Asian Studies
• Religious Studies
• Early medieval religions of India
• +5 more

M. Whitney Kelting serves as an Associate Professor of Religious Studies within the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Northeastern University's College of Social Sciences and Humanities, with additional affiliations in the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, Center for International Affairs and World Cultures, and Ethics Institute. Education: Ph.D. in South Asian Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin, Madison B.A., Colby College Her research critically examines gender dynamics, ritual practices, and modernity within Jain communities, with current projects focusing on motherhood and temple patronage as lenses for understanding contemporary Jain religious identity. Kelting's scholarship bridges anthropology and religious studies through ethnographic analysis of Jain laywomen's devotional practices, particularly in her foundational works Singing to the Jinas (2001) and Heroic Wives (2009) which explore mandal singing and wifely virtues in Jain traditions. As an educator, she teaches comprehensive courses including "Hinduism, Buddhism, and Beyond: Eastern Religions" (PHIL 1275), utilizing primary religious texts to analyze doctrinal developments across South and East Asian traditions while emphasizing lived religious experiences within sociopolitical contexts.

• Jainism
• Gender Studies
• Religious Studies
• +3 more

Elizabeth A. Cecil is the Timothy Gannon Associate Professor of Religion at Florida State University (FSU), within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Brown University's Religious Studies program. Her research focuses on the history of Hindu religions in South and Southeast Asia, emphasizing intersections of text, image, monument, and landscape. She is a primary Research Collaborator in the European Research Council's PURANA project and co-editor-in-chief of the open-access journal PURANA Media. Additionally, she co-directs the More-than-human Religion project, exploring nonhuman agency in religious contexts. Her scholarly contributions include books like Mapping the Pāśupata Landscape (2020) and Primary Sources and Asian Pasts (2021). Her research has been supported by prestigious grants from the Getty Foundation, ACLS, and NEH. Recent articles highlight environmental and epigraphic studies in early West Java, Śaiva traditions in South and Southeast Asia, and temple architecture's material dimensions. Cecil’s work bridges archaeology, religious studies, and history, often analyzing inscriptions and monuments to reconstruct ancient religious practices and landscapes. She collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, such as the Material Texts journal issue, exploring religion and mobility. Her academic roles include advising on FSU’s Native American and Indigenous Studies initiatives.

• Hinduism
• Sanskrit Epigraphy
• Temple Architecture
• +3 more

Joseph Walser is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Tufts University, located in the School of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD from Northwestern University (1997), an MTS from Emory University (1991), and a BA from Carleton College (1989). His research focuses on Mahayana Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and religious traditions in early South Asia, with particular attention to Chinese religions and the anthropology, philosophy, and sociology of religion. Walser’s teaching portfolio includes courses on Buddhism, yoga history, Tibetan Buddhism, and independent studies. His publications span monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles addressing topics like Mahayana origins, Nagarjuna’s philosophy, and the socio-cultural context of early Indian religions. Notable works include Genealogies of Mahāyāna Buddhism (2018) and Nagarjuna in Context (2005). His research methodologies emphasize textual analysis, comparative religious studies, and historical contextualization. Walser has contributed to debates on Buddhist anti-Brahmanical tendencies, the classification of religious traditions, and the interplay between scriptural authority and cultural practice. He maintains active engagement with academic discourse through conference presentations and peer-reviewed contributions.

• Mahayana Buddhism
• Hinduism
• Jainism
• +5 more

Deepak Sarma is Professor of Indian Religions and Philosophy and Inaugural Distinguished Scholar in the Public Humanities at Case Western Reserve University. His scholarship spans Hindu philosophy (particularly Madhva Vedanta), comparative religion, bioethics, and postcolonial studies. As a curator and consultant for the Cleveland Museum of Art, he bridges academic scholarship with public humanities engagement. Research interests encompass classical Indian philosophy, Hindu bioethics, museological representation of religious artifacts, consciousness studies, and psychedelics in religious contexts. Sarma's work critically examines colonial legacies in religious studies and develops Hindu perspectives in bioethical debates. Publications include monographs on Madhva Vedanta, edited volumes on Hinduism, and articles examining intersections of religion with neuroscience, genomics, and medical ethics. Recent work from 2018-2022 shows increased attention to Jain bioethics, interreligious dialogue, and neuroethical challenges. Sarma maintains an active curatorial practice, most notably guest-curating the Indian Kalighat Paintings exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art. This work applies academic expertise to public-facing humanities interpretation.

• Indian Philosophy
• Hindu Studies
• Postcolonial Theory
• +3 more

Brian Collins is a Professor and holds the Drs. Ram and Sushila Gawande Chair in Indian Religion and Philosophy at Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences, within the Department of Classics and Religious Studies. He has been a faculty member since 2013 and is deeply engaged in the interdisciplinary study of South Asian religions, mythology, and the intellectual history of religious studies. His research interests include Hinduism, Buddhism, comparative mythology, religion and the occult, and the cultural intersections of religion with film and popular media. He explores mythic narratives, ritual symbolism, and the philosophical underpinnings of Indian religions, often employing critical theoretical frameworks such as Girardian mimetic theory. His work bridges academic scholarship with public engagement through podcasts and edited volumes on cinematic horror and religious portrayals in literature. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in reinterpreting Hindu epics, analyzing Brahmin warrior figures, and examining the material culture of religious fear in Bollywood horror. He also investigates lesser-known intellectual figures like Robert Eisler, highlighting forgotten interdisciplinary contributions to religious thought. Drs. Ram and Sushila Gawande Chair in Indian Religion and Philosophy Brian Collins advises students in religious studies and South Asian traditions, though specific advisees are not listed. He has secured research support through endowed chairs and has contributed to major academic presses. His work often involves collaborative editing and interdisciplinary grants, particularly in cultural and religious studies projects. He is affiliated with academic teams focused on Asian Studies and International Studies at Ohio University, contributing to program development and cross-cultural scholarship. His podcasting efforts also suggest involvement in digital humanities and public-facing academic initiatives.

• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Comparative Mythology
• +7 more

Eliza Kent is a Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Skidmore College. Her research focuses on South Asian Religions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity, examining religious pluralism, conversion, syncretism, and environmental intersections. She has authored two monographs and co-edited volumes, with a strong emphasis on religion and ecology in India and Ethiopia, gender studies, and methodological approaches to religious studies. Education: Ph.D., University of Chicago, History of Religions (1999) M.A., University of Chicago, Religious Studies (1992) B.A., Williams College, Religion and Women’s Studies (1989) Her work bridges South Asian religious practices with global environmental and gender dynamics, analyzing sacred groves, church forests, and the socio-political implications of religious conversion. She has held numerous grants, including from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Fulbright, and received awards like the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title. Kent teaches courses in religion and culture, health in Asian religions, and Hindu mythology. Notable Publications include studies on transient temples in urban South India, Ethiopian church forests, and intersections of caste, gender, and religion. Scientific Awards : CHOICE Award for Outstanding Academic Title (2004) Best Book in Hindu-Christian Studies (2003-2005) NEH Fellowship (2007) Fulbright IIE Fellowship (1996-1997) Her interdisciplinary research spans religious ecology, gender, caste, and conservation, with collaborations in biology and geography. She has published extensively in journals like Worldviews , South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal , and Human Ecology , while also contributing to edited volumes on Hindu-Christian relations.

• South Asian Religions
• Religious Pluralism
• Conversion and Syncretism
• +5 more

Aleksandra (Sasha) Restifo is the Bhagwan Mahavir Assistant Professor in Jain Studies at the Religious Studies department of Florida International University. Her research focuses on emotion's role in ritual and social culture within South Asian religions, particularly Jainism. She explores these themes through medieval Prakrit and Sanskrit sources, contributing to understandings of Jain metaphysics, ritual practices, and community dynamics. Dr. Restifo holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University, an M.A. in Religions from SOAS University of London, and additional degrees in Hindi and Indology. Her academic career includes postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford and Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her honors include fellowships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, the American Institute of Indian Studies, and Yale’s South Asian Studies Council. Her work appears in journals like Journal of Indian Philosophy and International Journal of Jaina Studies . Her current book project, The Theater of Renunciation: Aesthetics of Emotion in Medieval Jainism , examines emotional concepts central to Jain intellectual history. She also studies medieval and early modern Jain literary traditions.

• South Asian Religions
• Jainism
• Ritual Studies
• +3 more

Chloe Martinez is Associate Director of Programming for the Center for Writing and Public Discourse and Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Claremont McKenna College. She specializes in South Asian religions and poetry, with interdisciplinary research bridging literary studies, history, and creative writing. Education B.A. Barnard College M.A. and Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara M.A. Boston University M.F.A. Warren Wilson College Research Focus Martinez's work explores devotional traditions in South Asia through historical and literary lenses, particularly examining autobiography, hagiography, and poetry. Her research spans medieval North India, Punjab/Rajasthan religious practices, and contemporary Asian American religious expressions. She maintains parallel creative writing practice investigating intersections of poetry and spirituality. Publications Overview Her scholarly publications focus on religious autobiography (Mirabai tradition, pre-colonial narratives), devotional poetry translation, and literary analysis. Creative outputs include poetry collections and translations appearing in prominent literary journals, reflecting thematic synergies with her academic work on religion and identity. Awards and Fellowships 2023 Anne Frydman Translation Prize Fellowship in Sikh Studies (2016-2019) Mellon Mays Dissertation Fellowship (2012-2013) Holden Scholarship for MFA (2007-2009) Hindi Language Fellowship (2003-2004) Central Opportunity & Rowny Fellowships (2001-2005) Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (1998-2001) Professional Service Martinez serves as visiting editor at Beloit Poetry Journal and poetry editor for the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion .

• Religion and Literature in South Asia
• Medieval North India
• Devotional traditions
• +15 more

Steven M. Vose serves as an Assistant Professor holding the Bhagwan Suparshvanatha Endowed Professorship in Jain Studies within the History Department at the University of Colorado Denver. This specialized position supports research and teaching on Jain history, philosophies, art, and culture, along with courses aligned with Jain values including nonviolence, conflict resolution, social justice, human rights, sustainability, and animal rights. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in South Asia Studies from the University of Pennsylvania (2013), M.T.S. from Harvard University Divinity School (2006), and B.A. in Religious Studies from St. Lawrence University (2001), where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and as a Phi Beta Kappa member. Vose specializes in the cultural and religious history of South Asia from the late medieval Islamicate era (ca. 1200-1700) to present. His research examines relationships between religious communities and political powers, with particular focus on mercantile caste communities from western India who practice Jainism. He also investigates how neoliberalism and social media foster religious and ethno-nationalist politics in contemporary South Asia, exploring implications for regional democracy. His theoretical interests bridge memory studies, literary theory, historiography, and material culture analysis. His publications reveal consistent scholarly engagement with Jain intellectual culture across historical periods, connecting medieval Islamicate interactions with contemporary diaspora communities. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how religious traditions adapt to changing political contexts while maintaining core identities, spanning historical analysis, religious studies, and digital media impacts. Edward C. Dimock, Jr. Book Prize in the Indian Humanities from the American Institute of Indian Studies (for "Reimagining Jainism in Islamic India") Through his endowed professorship, Vose supports undergraduate and graduate students in Jain studies and related fields. His teaching includes courses on nonviolence from historical to contemporary contexts (including #BlackLivesMatter), race and gender in religious nationalisms, world religions, and Asian philosophies. His research is advanced through two major book projects examining Jain intellectual history during the Delhi Sultanate period and contemporary Jain organizations in diaspora communities. Vose's work connects academic scholarship with societal issues through exploration of nonviolence traditions and religious pluralism, contributing to interdisciplinary conversations about religious communities' roles in shaping historical and contemporary political landscapes.

• Cultural History of South Asia
• Religious History of South Asia
• Jainism
• +8 more

Lavanya Vemsani is a Professor of History at Shawnee State University's College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in Indian History and Religions. She holds dual PhDs from McMaster University (Religious Studies) and the University of Hyderabad (History). Her research bridges ancient and contemporary Indian studies, focusing on religious iconography, gender in sacred texts, and historical urbanization patterns. Education PhD (Religious Studies), McMaster University, 2004 PhD (History), University of Hyderabad, 2004 MPhil (History), University of Hyderabad Research Interests Mythological deities (e.g., Narasimha, Balarama) Gender dynamics in Hindu epics Early Medieval urbanization in Andhra Pradesh Rejection of Aryan migration theories via genetic evidence Professional Roles Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Indic Studies Managing Editor, International Journal of Indic Studies Vice President, Ohio Academy of History (2018–2020) Her publications include seminal works on Balarāma's cult, Narasimha's symbolism, and feminist reinterpretations of Mahabharata figures. Recent research challenges colonial historiography through interdisciplinary methods combining genetics, archaeology, and textual analysis.

• Indian History
• Religious Studies
• Hinduism
• +5 more