Christina Kilby

Dr. Christina Kilby is an Associate Professor of Religion at James Madison University (JMU), specializing in Buddhist Studies with a focus on religion's intersection with conflict, displacement, humanitarianism, and human security. She joined JMU in 2016 and serves as Executive Director of the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery, leading initiatives like the JMU Welcome Corps and co-chairing the university-wide Committee on Refugee Partnerships. Her research bridges academic and policy realms, often engaging with organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Dr. Kilby holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from Davidson College. Her work explores Buddhist responses to humanitarian challenges, with publications spanning monographs, edited volumes, and policy-oriented articles. Key themes include Buddhist frameworks for refugee protection, international humanitarian law, and displacement mitigation.

She teaches courses on Buddhist studies, global religions, and refugee studies, often partnering with the U.S. Department of State Diplomacy Lab to involve students in real-world policy research. Her recent projects include advocating for Buddhism-inspired regional compacts on displacement and reinterpreting Buddhist texts through a humanitarian lens.

Dr. Kilby has received grants and fellowships, including the Fulbright-Hays Fellowship, supporting her research and non-profit collaborations. She actively contributes to JMU’s Every Campus a Refuge program, fostering student engagement in refugee resettlement through local partnerships.