Leah Sarat

Leah Sarat is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University’s School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, where she examines the intersection of religion, migration, and incarceration in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. She earned her PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Florida (2010) and has been a faculty member at ASU since 2010.

• PhD, Religious Studies, University of Florida (2010)
• Graduate Certificate, Latin American Studies, University of Florida (2010)
• MA, Religion and Culture, Wilfrid Laurier University (2006)
• BA, Fine Arts and Comparative Cultures, Alfred University (2001)

Her research focuses on how religious practices shape responses to migration, immigrant detention, and colonial legacies. She has conducted extensive fieldwork with Pentecostal communities in Mexico and faith-based volunteers in Arizona’s Eloy Detention Center. Her work bridges theological analysis with critiques of profit-driven incarceration systems.

The 2022 article Captivity, Life and Death at the Nation’s Edge reveals contrasting Christian theologies in detention settings, while her 2013 book Fire in the Canyon examines how an indigenous Mexican community uses Pentecostalism and border-crossing simulations to negotiate migration and sustainability. Recent collaborations like States of Incarceration (2015-2018) and Arizona Detention Research (2018-2019) demonstrate her commitment to public humanities.

• Louisville Institute Sabbatical Grant (2014-2016)
• ASU Institute for Humanities Research Fellow (2011-2012)
• Noemí Quezada Award for Dissertation (2011)

Sarat has partnered with institutions like the Phoenix Burton Barr Public Library and the ASU Prison Education Awareness Club to facilitate dialogues on immigration, detention, and belonging. Her teaching includes courses on American Religious Traditions and Religion in America, reflecting her dedication to both academic and community engagement.