معرفی
Elisha Chi is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, supported by the President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. His work bridges theology, Indigenous studies, and political theory.
- Education: B.A. in Liberal Studies from Seattle University; M.T.S. in Theological Studies from Villanova University; Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies from Villanova University.
Chi's research critically examines colonial and settler colonial dynamics within religious institutions, focusing on Indigenous family separation, federal assimilation policies, and anticolonial theological frameworks. His publications explore:
- The role of Catholic Social Teaching in Indigenous contexts
- Ethnographic methodologies and their epistemological limitations
- Decolonial practices rooted in Inupiaq traditions
His recent articles highlight:
- "Catholicism as Berry People" (2025): Analyzes Catholic Church practices through Inupiaq narratives of survival and resistance
- "Ethno-Apophasis" (2023): Proposes theological approaches to ethnographic refusal and thinness
- Scientific Awards: President's Postdoctoral Fellowship, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
Chi's work engages with critical theology, Indigenous sovereignty, and ethical research practices, challenging dominant narratives in religious studies through decolonial lenses.
His academic collaborations include mentorship under Greg Johnson (UC Santa Barbara) and doctoral advising from Vincent Lloyd (Villanova University).
