Jenny Butler

Dr. Jenny Butler is a Lecturer in the Study of Religions Department at University College Cork (UCC) and a Principal Investigator at UCC's Environmental Research Institute. She is a leading scholar in Contemporary Paganism, Western Esotericism, and Irish Folk Religion, with a focus on the intersection of religion, culture, and the environment.

Her research includes the first ethnographic study of Irish Contemporary Paganism, culminating in her forthcoming monograph 21st Century Irish Paganism: Worldview, Ritual, Identity (Routledge). She leads the international CHRYSES project on environmental health crises and collaborates with the UCC Eco-Humanities Research Group and the Praxis project on Global Citizenship Development Education.

Dr. Butler has published extensively on Pagan ritual practices, fairy lore, and cultural heritage. Her recent articles explore topics like Pagan pilgrimage, Druid identities, and the ritual year. She has contributed to the Oxford Handbook of Religion in Modern Ireland and peer-reviewed journals such as NUMEN and International Journal for the Study of New Religions.

Scientific awards include the Government of Ireland Research Scholar, Dobbin Scholar, Charlemont Grant, and multiple Conference Ambassador Awards. She serves as President of the Irish Society for the Academic Study of Religions and co-convenes the Irish Network for the Study of Esotericism and Paganism.

Her work bridges academia and the arts, collaborating with galleries and cultural institutions. She has been featured in documentaries and radio programs globally, emphasizing Pagan practices, Irish folklore, and supernatural beliefs.