معرفی
Laurie Johnston serves as Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Emmanuel College, specializing in Christian social ethics with emphases on war and peacemaking, healthcare ethics, and environmental ethics. Her scholarship critically examines how Christian theological frameworks inform political engagement and public discourse, while her teaching integrates service learning to explore social justice issues through courses like Love and Justice: An Introduction to Christian Ethics and Catholic Social Teaching. As Director of Fellowships, she has guided numerous students to prestigious awards including Fulbright grants.
Her educational credentials include a Ph.D. from Boston College, M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and B.A. with distinction from the University of Virginia.
Dr. Johnston's research demonstrates sustained engagement with contemporary ethical crises through historical and theological lenses. Her work bridges medieval Christian perspectives with modern conflicts, analyzing just war theory in Ukraine and Gaza, interfaith dialogue with Muslim communities, and Catholic responses to AI warfare and climate change. Publications reveal consistent focus on how religious traditions navigate democratic challenges while maintaining ethical coherence in polarized societies.
Her recent scholarly output shows increasing urgency in addressing 21st-century warfare ethics, particularly regarding civilian protection in asymmetric conflicts and technological advancements like autonomous weapons. Simultaneously, she expands Catholic social teaching into emerging domains including environmental justice and religious liberty in secular democracies, while maintaining strong connections to grassroots peacebuilding initiatives.
Notable recognitions include the 2017 Catholic Press Association First Place prize, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant to Belgium (2017-2018), International Center for Nonviolent Conflict Curriculum Grant (2018), and Emmanuel College Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award (2014).
Through her Fellowship Directorship, Johnston has cultivated exceptional student success in competitive national awards while securing significant external funding including Fulbright and ICNC grants. Her grant portfolio reflects deep commitment to practical peacebuilding, evidenced by collaborations with institutions like the Catholic Peacebuilding Network and Georgetown University's Berkley Center. She implements service learning pedagogy to connect classroom theory with community action on social justice issues.
Though not leading a formal laboratory, Johnston actively shapes global ethical discourse through participation in international networks including the Catholic Theological Society of America and the Center for Human Rights and International Justice at Boston College. Her recent conference engagements demonstrate leadership in translating Catholic social thought into actionable frameworks for contemporary geopolitical crises.
