Wesley N. Barker

Dr. Wesley N. Barker serves as Associate Professor of Religious Studies in Mercer University's College of Professional Advancement, Department of Liberal Studies, where she has taught since 2013. Her dynamic classroom approach balances intellectual intensity with approachability and humor, fostering deep student engagement in gender, religion, and philosophy studies.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Religion, Emory University (2012)
• Master of Theological Studies, Duke University (2003)
• BA in Women's Studies and Political Science, Emory University (2000)

Dr. Barker's research pioneers intersections of feminist philosophy, religious ethics, and continental thought, with groundbreaking work on Luce Irigaray's theories of embodiment and desire. She examines how material femininity reshapes theological discourse beyond identity politics, applying these frameworks to political theology, critical theory, and global service contexts. Her scholarship consistently challenges binaries while exploring spirituality's role in contemporary social issues.

Recent publication trends reveal intensified interdisciplinary collaboration since 2020, particularly in healthcare education (2020 pharmacy/nursing study) and service-learning (2025 musical co-creation research). The 2025 release of her monograph *Desire Beyond Identity* represents a career milestone, synthesizing a decade of Irigarayan scholarship while expanding into global pedagogical applications.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Excellence in Teaching Award, Penfield College (2018)
• Scientific Thinking and Integrative Reasoning Skills Fellowship, AAC&U (2014-2016)

Dr. Barker actively mentors students through specialized courses and international service-learning trips to India and Morocco, while leading significant academic initiatives. As President of the American Academy of Religion Southeast Region (2022) and co-chair of its 'Body and Religion' unit, she directs scholarly conversations at national conferences. Her STIRS fellowship (2014-2016) demonstrates grant leadership in curriculum innovation, and ongoing collaborations—like the 2025 Frontiers journal article—show continued funding engagement across religious studies, music, and healthcare disciplines.