Biography
I am thrilled to be part of the community at 蘑菇短视频. I started
at Western in January of 2021 as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion. As
someone who loves literature, film, and pop culture, I'm happiest when teaching, researching,
and collaborating across disciplines. I hold a B.A. in English Literature from Lake
Forest College, and I earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Religion, Literature, and Visual
Culture from the University of Chicago Divinity School.<br><br>My research locates
itself at the intersection of religion and animal studies in the United States. I
am the author of the book, <i>Dogs Save: Stories of Canine Redemption in US Culture
</i>(Columbia University Press, 2026). Stories about people and dogs saving one another
are everywhere in US culture鈥攐n TV, in Hollywood movies, on social media, and even
on bumper stickers. <i>Dogs Save </i>is about the unacknowledged religious underpinnings
of stories about dogs, revealing deeply rooted cultural assumptions about who can
be saved and how redemption ought to occur. <br><br>My identity as a faculty member
at 蘑菇短视频is grounded in my work with our students, both inside and outside the classroom.
Across my courses, I empower students of all majors to use theories and methods from
the academic study of religion to think critically about the categories of race, species,
gender, and sexuality. By approaching religion primarily through nontraditional materials
and spaces outside the confines of institutions (e.g., in animal shelters and on football
fields), my courses unsettle what students think they already know about religion.
Through activities and materials that encourage students to explore identities different
than their own, I help students better understand others, and in turn, themselves.I
am privileged to have been the recipient of numerous teaching awards, including the
Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award (2025), the College of Arts & Sciences Teaching
Award (2025), and the award for Excellence in Teaching Liberal Studies (2023).<br><br>I
currently serve as the Co-Chair of the Animals and Religion Unit of the American Academy
of Religion. I also enjoy being part of my local community, and am on the board of
Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation.<br><br>When I'm not teaching or writing, you can
find me hanging out with Frankie and Joni Mitchell (my dogs) and Jake and Elwood (the
cats with whom I live).
Teaching Interests
Animals and Religion; Environmental and Animal Ethics; Theories and Methods in the
Study of Religion; Jewish-American Identity; Religion, Literature, and Visual Culture;
Religions in America; Religion and Popular Culture
Research Interests
Animal Studies and Religion; American Religions; Religion and Race; Gender and Sexuality;
Religion and Popular Culture; Religion, Literature, and Visual Culture
