معرفی
Susanne Kerekes is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Trinity College. She specializes in Buddhism and contemporary religious practices in Thailand, focusing on material culture such as amulets, rituals, and architecture (e.g., Wat Arun). Her research integrates material religion, relationality philosophies, and 19th-century manuscripts. She collaborates with Dr. Jessica Zu on the 'Buddhism of the 99%' project, emphasizing grassroots religious practices. She serves as co-chair for the American Academy of Religion's Five-Year Seminar on 'Collective Karma and Karmic Collectives' and leads the Lauder Intercultural Venture (LIV) program in Thailand, combining MBA and MA studies with fieldwork on Buddhism and material culture.
- Education: PhD (University of Pennsylvania, 2018), MA (Mahidol University), BA (DePauw University)
- Affiliations: Steering Committee Member, Religion in Southeast Asia Unit (AAR); Faculty Leader, UPenn Lauder Institute LIV Program
Her research challenges orientalist views of Theravada Buddhism through her book project Material Buddhists, which explores the inseparable material and spiritual economies in Thai Buddhist practices. She emphasizes Thai Buddhist engagement with sacred objects (statues, amulets), spirits (saksit), and economic-religious systems like Pranic Healing.
