معرفی
Kathryn Lofton is the Lex Hixon Professor of Religious Studies and American Studies, Professor of History and Divinity at Yale University. She holds cross-departmental affiliations across multiple disciplines, including Religious Studies, American Studies, History, and Divinity. Her research focuses on religion’s intersections with modernity, capitalism, and popular culture in American history. She has held significant administrative roles, including Dean of Humanities, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and inaugural Deputy Dean of Diversity and Faculty Development. She also served as Chair of LGBT Studies, Department of Religious Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Lofton’s scholarship bridges historical analysis and contemporary cultural critique. Her work examines the historiography of African American religions and the dynamics of religion in media and consumer culture. She has authored influential books such as Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon and Consuming Religion, and co-edited Women’s Work, a landmark anthology of African-American women’s writings. Her current projects include curating the Frequencies web initiative and co-editing the Class 200: New Studies in Religion book series with the University of Chicago Press.
She has received prestigious awards for teaching and mentorship, including the Poorvu Family Award for Interdisciplinary Teaching and the Sarai Ribicoff Award. Her leadership extends to faculty governance through roles in the FAS Senate and committees addressing institutional ethics and misconduct.
