Therese Marie Ignacio Bjørnaas

Therese Marie Ignacio Bjørnaas is an Associate Professor at Queen Maud Memorial College for Early Childhood Education, affiliated with the Research Group for Religion, Beliefs and Ethics under the Department of Language, Art and Culture. Her work bridges theology, ethics, and multicultural studies, with a focus on postcolonial theory, Islamophobia, and disability theology.

• Ph.D. in Systematic Theology and Philosophy, 2018 (GTU/UC, Berkeley)
• Certificate in Islamic Studies, 2015 (GTU, Berkeley)
• Master of Arts in Practical Theology, 2012 (Barry University)
• Bachelor in Religious Studies, 2010 (NTNU)

Her research investigates intersections of religion, gender, and ethics, particularly in postcolonial identities, Islamophobia in Nordic politics, and disability theology. She critiques veiling legislation in Norway and explores theological approaches to LGBTQ+ identities in Catholicism. Her recent work includes multicultural practices in Norwegian kindergartens.

Key publication trends include feminist postcolonial analysis, interfaith dialogue, and ethical frameworks for disability and religious pluralism. Notable articles address cognitive disability in theological anthropology, homophobia in Islamic discourse, and universal salvation in Christian-Muslim theology.

She serves on the Steering Committee for the Women’s Religious Studies Group at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, and as Associate Editor for the Berkeley Journal of Religion and Theology. She is also a member of the Norwegian Sports Federation's Ethics Council.

Her pedagogical expertise spans university-level teaching (2021) and sports coaching certifications, including Mental Training (2019-2020) and Coach II (2019-2020). Her work integrates academic rigor with practical engagement in education and multicultural discourse.