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Otto Maduro is a Venezuelan-born Professor of World Christianity & Latin American Christianity at Drew University (Madison, New Jersey) since 1992. He chairs the Division of Church & Society in the Theological School and co-leads the Hispanic Institute of Theology and Hispanic D.Min. Program. Married to Dr. Nancy Noguera, they share a passion for social justice, music, and intercultural dialogue. His research focuses on liberation theology, social justice, and the intersection of religion with marginalized communities. Education: PhD (1977), MA (1975), and MA (1973) in Philosophy/Sociology of Religion from the Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium), all summa cum laude. Licentiate in Philosophy from Universidad Central de Venezuela (1968). Research Interests: Liberation theology, social justice, ecological ethics, epistemological critiques, religious resistance, and LGBTQ+ rights. His work emphasizes global South perspectives, particularly Latin America’s socio-religious dynamics. Grants & Awards: Henry Luce III Fellowship (2006), Ford Foundation grants (2000–2002), Will Herberg Award (1997), and international recognition for his book Marxismo y Religión (1977). Professional Contributions: Associate editor of Concilium , Journal of Hispanic/Latino Theology , and others. Served on editorial boards of leading journals and as council member of PARAL, SSSR, and ACHTUS. Current Projects: Researching Pentecostal congregations among Latina/o immigrants in Newark and directing the Hispanic Summer Program in Religion & Theology.

• Liberation Theology
• Social Justice
• Religious Studies
• +3 more

Eric Beeko is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. His teaching focuses on African studies, including courses like African Civilization, Liberation Movements, and Music in Africa. He holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh (2005), alongside advanced degrees from institutions in Ghana. His research explores African musical traditions, cultural practices, and performance aesthetics. Current projects include studies on Neo-Pentecostal/Charismatic church music in Ghana and the interplay between tradition and modernity. Future research plans involve multi-volume studies on African linguistic-cultural distribution and Black performance practices globally. Publications include analyses of Akan music rights, Ghanaian choral innovations, and African cultural heritage. He is developing works on Neo-Pentecostal worship aesthetics and the role of music in identity expression across the African diaspora. Advising and grants are not explicitly listed, but his scholarly activities emphasize collaborative research in ethnomusicology and cultural studies. He is based in Posvar Hall, Office #4152.

• African Music Traditions
• Cultural Studies
• Ethnomusicology
• +3 more

Charles D. Piot is a Professor and Bass Fellow in the Department of Cultural Anthropology at Duke University's Arts & Sciences. His work spans contemporary culture and politics, histories of slavery and colonialism, and transnational African diasporic studies. Ph.D., University of Virginia (1986) M.A., University of Virginia (1982) B.A., Princeton University (1973) Research focuses on francophone West Africa , particularly Togo, with theoretical contributions to modernity , biopolitics , postcolonialism , and transnational migration . He explores how globalization, NGOs, and religious movements reshape sovereignty and social structures. Recent work examines urban informality and economic resilience in African microenterprises. His publications include award-winning books Nostalgia For the Future (2010) and Remotely Global (1999), alongside peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from visa lottery systems to ethnographic theory. As co-editor of Cultural Anthropology (2011-2015), he advanced open-access publishing initiatives. Scientific awards include the African Politics Conference Group Award for Best Book on African Politics (2010) Royal Anthropological Institute's Amaury Talbot Prize (1999) African Studies Association's Herskovits Prize finalist (1999)

• Transnationalism
• Political Economy
• Post Colonialism
• +7 more

Michael Warner is the Seymour H. Knox Professor in the Department of English at Yale University, where he holds a prominent position in literary and cultural studies. His work bridges scholarship, theory, and public intellectual engagement across disciplines such as early American literature, queer theory, and the sociology of secularism. His research focuses on the interplay between media, reading practices, and the formation of social worlds. Warner explores how publics and counterpublics emerge through print culture and communication, with significant contributions to understanding the evangelical public sphere and the cultural roots of secularism in America. His interdisciplinary interests extend to new media, intellectual property, and political discourse. The recent articles reflect a strong trend in cultural and literary theory, with deep attention to public discourse, identity formation, and interpretive practices. Warner's work consistently engages with philosophical and historical dimensions of literature, often challenging normative frameworks in reading and social belonging. Co-editor, Varieties of Secularism in a Secular Age (Harvard University Press, 2010) Author, The Evangelical Public Sphere in Eighteenth-Century America (forthcoming, University of Pennsylvania Press) Author, Publics and Counterpublics (Zone Books, 2002) Author, The Trouble with Normal (Harvard University Press, 2000) Editor, The Portable Walt Whitman (Penguin, 2003) Warner has advised numerous graduate students and has been involved in major scholarly collaborations, though specific names are not listed. He has received support for his research through academic lectureships, including the Rosenbach Lectures (2009), and editorial projects with leading university presses. His work continues to influence both literary studies and social theory. He is associated with advanced research in secular culture and public discourse, particularly through his current book projects and lecture series. His intellectual leadership positions him at the center of debates on religion, modernity, and democratic public life.

• Early American Literature
• Print Culture
• Public Sphere Theory
• +12 more

Dr. Daniel Castelo is the William Kellon Quick Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies at Duke University's Divinity School, serving concurrently as Associate Dean for Academic Formation (2023–2024). He holds a Ph.D. from Duke University (2005), M.Div. from Church of God Theological Seminary, and undergraduate degrees from Washington University and Lee University. His work bridges Latinx theologies, Methodist traditions, and pneumatology, emphasizing experiential spirituality and doctrinal innovation. Research interests include the doctrine of God, theological interpretation of Scripture, and intersections between Pentecostalism and Latinx theological perspectives. He co-edits the Wesleyan and Methodist Explorations series and serves on the Methodist Review editorial board. Notable awards include the John Templeton Award for Theological Promise (2011). Teaching focuses on advanced theological topics, Latinx theology, and Wesleyan foundations through courses like 'Introduction to Latinx Theology' and 'Pentecostal Theology.' He mentors students in Hispanic Summer Program initiatives and has taught globally in Mexico, Honduras, and Brazil.

• Theology
• Methodism
• Pneumatology
• +6 more

Rev. Paul V. Kollman, CSC is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and has been a faculty fellow at the Kellogg Institute since 2002. His academic work focuses on the history of Christianity and World Religions/World Church, with extensive field research conducted in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and archival research in Europe and the US. Previously, he taught at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and the Philosophy Centre in Jinja, Uganda. Kollman's research examines African Christianity, mission history, and world Christianity through interdisciplinary lenses including sociology, anthropology, and history. His work explores religious transformation, inter-religious dialogue, and the cultural dimensions of faith communities in global contexts. His publications demonstrate consistent focus on missiology, African religious practices, and global Christianity trends. Recent works analyze contemporary challenges in religious life, historical developments in African Catholicism, and theoretical frameworks for understanding religious change across cultures. Honors and Awards: President, International Association of Mission Studies (2016-2020) Kellogg Institute's Undergraduate Mentoring Award (2008-09) Erasmus Institute Fellowship Lilly Fellowship for Theological Education Kollman mentors students through programs like the Kellogg International Scholars Program, advising research projects including translation of missionary journals and studies of African religious history. His work has been supported by fellowships from multiple institutions.

• African Christianity
• Mission History
• World Christianity
• +5 more

Joseph Pak is Professor of Biblical Studies at Taylor University in the Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, Intercultural Studies & Philosophy Department . A New Testament scholar with a PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary, he invests his life in training the next generation of Christian leaders. Education PhD, New Testament Studies – Dallas Theological Seminary STM, New Testament Studies – Dallas Theological Seminary MDiv, School of Divinity – Liberty University BS, Electrical Engineering – Virginia Tech Research Interests Pak’s research centers on the New Testament , particularly the epistles of James and 2 Peter , exploring themes of self-deception in theology , wealth and poverty in early Christianity , Scriptural inspiration , and false believers . He also examines the intersection of contemporary philosophical discussions with biblical hermeneutics and theological ethics. Publications & Translations He has authored the monograph False Believers in the New Testament and the volume What the Bible Says about the Dangers of Self-Deception: An Exegetical Approach . Additionally, Pak translated six influential Christian works from English into Korean, including Daniel Fuller’s The Unity of the Bible and Everett Ferguson’s The Background of Early Christianity , thereby bridging Korean and Western evangelical scholarship. Professional Service & Outreach Regular presenter at the Evangelical Theological Society national conferences Contributed 10 New Testament introductions to The Abide Bible (Thomas Nelson, 2020) Has taught courses at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , Liberty University , Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary , and Taylor University Joseph Pak’s overarching passion is to know, love, and serve Jesus while equipping students to lead with biblical integrity.

• New Testament Studies
• Biblical Theology
• Self-Deception in Theology
• +3 more

Daryn Henry is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia . His research focuses on the Religious History of the Americas, examining how Christian communities (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Pentecostal) interact with modern/postmodern cultures. He holds a PhD from Boston College (2016), an MAR from Yale University (2009), and a BA from the University of Western Ontario (2007). Key research interests include enchanted modernity in 19th/20th century Evangelicalism, theological discourses on the Holy Spirit, and intersections between religion and contemporary culture. His books include AB Simpson and the Making of Modern Evangelicalism (2019) and The Freedom of God: A Study in the Pneumatology of Robert Jenson (2018). Publications reflect expertise in historiography, religious movements, and theological analysis. Awards include the UVA Undergrad Research Advisor Grant and Boston College Teaching Excellence Award . He teaches courses such as American Religious Historiography and Christian Nationalism . Grants include support from the UVA Dean’s Office and Boston College Summer Session. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary religious praxis, emphasizing interdisciplinary engagement with cultural, philosophical, and scientific dimensions of faith.

• Religious History
• American Religions
• Christian Theology
• +3 more

Evelyn Sterne serves as Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Humanities at the University of Rhode Island, where she specializes in the intersection of religion, immigration, and class formation in nineteenth- and twentieth-century America. Her scholarly profile centers on communal religious experiments and the political dimensions of immigrant religious life, with particular focus on urban Northeastern contexts like Providence. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in History from Duke University M.A. in History from Duke University B.A. in History from Yale University Sterne's research investigates how religious institutions shaped immigrant political incorporation and working-class consciousness, with recurring examinations of Catholic communities, Pentecostal movements, and intentional communes like the House of David. She analyzes the interplay between religious identity and labor activism, particularly how parishes functioned as political organizing spaces in industrializing cities. Her methodological approach combines institutional history with cultural analysis to reveal how religious frameworks informed communal survival strategies during economic crises like the Great Depression. Analysis of her publication trajectory since 2015 reveals sustained engagement with religious communes (notably the House of David studies), working-class religious activism, and immigration's impact on political culture. Her work demonstrates increasing focus on scandal narratives within religious movements while maintaining strong connections to labor history through examinations of Catholic unionism. The 2025 monograph on the House of David represents the culmination of over a decade of research into American communal experiments. No major scientific awards were documented in the source materials. Information regarding graduate student supervision and external research grants was not provided in available sources, though her directorship of the Center for the Humanities suggests administrative leadership in interdisciplinary scholarship. Her current book project on Depression-era Boston religion indicates ongoing exploration of religion's role in economic crisis response.

• American Religious History
• Immigration History
• Labor History
• +5 more

Karrie J. Koesel is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, specializing in contemporary Chinese and Russian politics, authoritarianism, and religion-politics dynamics. She is a Wilson China Fellow (2025-26), Public Intellectuals Program Fellow, and recipient of the Aaron Wildavsky Award for best religion-politics dissertation. Her research explores how authoritarian regimes cultivate legitimacy through religious management and political education. Ph.D. in Government, Cornell University (2009) Former faculty member at University of Oregon Her work examines: Authoritarian resilience through religious cooperation/conflict Political education strategies for youth loyalty State responses to political mobilization Comparative China-Russia regime dynamics Recent publications focus on authoritarian toolkits, political socialization, and religious regulation. She is currently writing a book about political education in authoritarian regimes. Her research has received support from Minerva Research Initiative, Spencer Foundation, and Fulbright program. Scientific awards include: Wilson China Fellowship (2025-26) Ted Jelen Best Article Award (2025) Minerva Research Initiative grant (2024-26) Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation grant (2021) Spencer Foundation grant (2016) Aaron Wildavsky Award (2010) Koesel participates in several research networks including the International Diffusion and Cooperation of Authoritarian Regimes (IDCAR) and is affiliated with Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs, Kellogg Institute, and Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion.

• Contemporary Chinese Politics
• Contemporary Russian Politics
• Authoritarianism
• +4 more

Gastón Espinosa is the Arthur V. Stoughton Professor of Religious Studies at Claremont McKenna College, a leading scholar in the study of Latino religions, religion and politics, and American religious movements. He has held prestigious visiting positions, including as a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Politics at Princeton University and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Münster, Germany. His leadership extends across the Claremont Colleges, where he chaired the Religious Studies Department and the intercollegiate Religious Studies Program. Education: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara Master's, Harvard University Master's, Princeton Theological Seminary Fellow, Dartmouth College His research focuses on American Religions , Latino Religions , Religion and Politics , Pentecostal/Charismatic Movements , and Religion and Civil Rights . He has pioneered large-scale national survey research on Latino religious and political life, directing eight major surveys since 1998, including the landmark Hispanic Churches in American Public Life study funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts. His work bridges theology, sociology, and political science, with a strong emphasis on civic engagement and social justice. His publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of faith, identity, and power. From studies on William J. Seymour and the origins of Pentecostalism to analyses of Latino Muslims and the religious dynamics of presidential elections, his scholarship explores how religion shapes public life, particularly within marginalized communities. His books, published by Harvard, Duke, Oxford, and Columbia University Presses, are foundational in the field. Scientific Awards and Honors: National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship Dartmouth College César Chávez Dissertation Fellowship Princeton Woodrow Wilson Charlotte W. Newcombe Fellowship Yale Pew Program Summer Fellowship Huggins-Quarles Award (OAH) California Council for the Humanities Grant UC Santa Barbara Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award Gould Center Grant Distinguished Visiting Professor, Münster University Espinosa has secured significant research funding and directed major projects, including a $1.3 million Pew-funded initiative and the ongoing Latino Religions and Politics National Survey . He has advised or mentored numerous students, though specific names are not listed. His influence extends through public scholarship, with over 200 presentations at institutions like Harvard, Yale, and the BBC, and frequent citations in major media such as the Los Angeles Times and NPR . He is currently finalizing a new book, Latino Religions and Politics in American Public Life , and serves as co-editor of The Columbia University Press Series in Religion and Politics , shaping the next generation of scholarship in the field.

• American Religions
• Religion & Politics
• Religion & Civil Rights
• +7 more

Prof. Jacob K. Olupona holds dual professorships at Harvard University: the Hugh K. Foster Professor of African and African American Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Professor of African Religious Traditions at Harvard Divinity School. He currently serves as Chair of the Department of African and African American Studies. He earned his PhD in Comparative Religion from Boston University (1983) following undergraduate studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His research focuses on African religious traditions, Yoruba cultural practices, and the socio-religious dynamics of Nigerian Christianity. Key areas include kingship rituals, urban religious landscapes, and Ifa divination systems. Recent work examines the growth of evangelical Christianity across Nigerian Christian denominations. Awards & Honors: Nigerian National Order of Merit (2008) Reimar Lust Award (2015) Honorary Doctorates: University of Edinburgh (Divinity), Obafemi Awolowo University (Letters), University of Abuja (Letters) Inducted into Nigerian Academy of Letters (2015) Grants: Supported by Guggenheim Foundation, American Philosophical Society, Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and others. Professional Service: Former President of the African Association for the Study of Religion; editorial board member for three academic journals. Prof. Olupona has authored/edited over 20 books including Kingship, Religion and Rituals in a Nigerian Community and Ifa Divination: Knowledge, Power, and Performance . His current research explores the evolving role of Pentecostalism within Nigerian religious and societal frameworks.

• African Religious Traditions
• Comparative Religion
• Yoruba Festivals
• +4 more

Kimberly Belcher is an Associate Professor of Theology and Liturgical Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Her work bridges liturgical theology, ritual studies, and ecumenism, with a focus on the Eucharist, baptism, and the Trinitarian framework of sacramental theology. She is affiliated with the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, and Stellenbosch University’s Practical Theology and Ministry program. Ph.D., University of Notre Dame (2009) M.T.S., University of Notre Dame (2003) B.S., University of Florida (2001) Belcher’s research employs phenomenology, critical theory, and ritual theory to analyze Christian liturgy and human ritual. Recent work explores disaster rituals, responses to violence, and healing practices in the context of the Catholic sex abuse crisis. She has authored foundational texts such as Eucharist and Receptive Ecumenism (2020) and Efficacious Engagement: Sacramental Participation in the Trinitarian Mystery (2011). Her 2024–2025 articles address ecumenical openness, sacramental healing, and the theological implications of ritual systems. These works reflect her commitment to interdisciplinary engagement and practical theology. Fellow, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies Fellow, Kellogg Institute for International Studies Research Associate, Stellenbosch University Belcher serves on the Vital Worship Grants Board of the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship and represents the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in interdenominational dialogues. She teaches courses like Rhythms of Faith and Holy Communion/Christian Disunity .

• Liturgical Studies
• Sacramental Theology
• Ecumenical Theology
• +4 more

Wallace D. Best is the Hughes-Rogers Professor of Religion and African American Studies at Princeton University, with joint appointments in the Department of African American Studies and the Department of Religion. He is also a faculty affiliate in the Department of History and serves as Director of the Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies, reflecting his broad interdisciplinary contributions. His research focuses on African American religious history, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, with expertise in Pentecostalism, Womanist theology, religion and literature, and the religious cultures of Black urban centers like Chicago and Harlem. His scholarship bridges historical, literary, and theological analysis to illuminate the spiritual dimensions of Black life. Best’s publications include Passionately Human, No Less Divine (2005), Langston’s Salvation (2017), which won the American Academy of Religion’s Textual Studies award, and a forthcoming work on Harlem’s religious landscape. His recent work explores the enduring significance of religion in shaping Black cultural identity and urban experience. Award in Textual Studies, American Academy of Religion (2018) Best has held fellowships at Princeton’s Center for the Study of Religion and Harvard’s W. E. B. Du Bois Institute. As a senior faculty member and program director, he plays a key role in mentoring students and shaping curricula in African American studies, religion, and gender and sexuality studies. He is actively engaged in public scholarship, contributing reading lists and commentary on Black history and religion. He is currently working on a book titled The Spiritual Capital of Black America: Harlem’s World of Religion and Churches , examining the centrality of religious institutions in Harlem’s cultural and social life.

• African American Religious History
• Religion and Literature
• Pentecostalism
• +7 more

Gary Gilbert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, with scholarly expertise in Ancient Jewish History, Jewish/Christian relations, Jewish art, synagogue studies, and the development of early Christianity. His academic work bridges historical, religious, and cultural analyses of Second Temple and early rabbinic Judaism, as well as the origins of Christianity within its Roman and Jewish contexts. B.A., Haverford College M.A., Columbia University Ph.D., Columbia University His research focuses on the intersection of Jewish life with broader civic and imperial structures in antiquity. Key interests include gentile participation in Jewish communities, the influence of Roman political ideology on early Christian texts, and the evolution of Jewish-Christian relations. He also investigates Jewish visual culture, particularly the symbolism of the menorah in ancient art. His publications reflect a strong engagement with textual and material evidence from the ancient Mediterranean world. Themes across his recent and forthcoming articles include Jewish urban life, the representation of Jewish identity in art and literature, and the theological and political dimensions of New Testament writings—especially the Acts of the Apostles. His scholarship often employs interdisciplinary methods combining history, archaeology, and literary analysis. Israel Institute, Course Development Grant (2023) Summer Fellow, Schusterman Center for Israel Studies (2019) Visiting Lecturer, University of Warsaw (2019) Visiting Scholar, Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies (2005–2006) Claremont Graduate University, Humanities Electronic Media Project (2000) Salo and Jeanette Baron Dissertation Prize nomination (1992) Gilbert has contributed significantly to pedagogical innovation, particularly through integrating technology into religious studies education. He has advised on digital humanities projects and developed curricula on Jewish and Christian origins. Though no formal advisees are listed, his academic mentorship extends through collaborative research, guest lectureships, and participation in scholarly centers. He has secured external funding for research and course development, demonstrating sustained scholarly productivity and institutional engagement. His affiliations with leading centers such as Oxford, the Schusterman Center, and the University of Warsaw highlight his international scholarly presence. He continues to publish in major academic venues and contribute to authoritative reference works like The Jewish Annotated New Testament .

• Ancient Jewish History
• Jewish/Christian Relations
• Ancient Synagogue
• +7 more