Religious Studies @ Elon University

Geoffrey Claussen named co-editor of Journal of Jewish Ethics The publication is the preeminent scholarly journal for the study of Jewish ethics

Dr. Geoffrey Claussen was named co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Jewish Ethics! The journal is published biannually by Penn State University Press and publishes outstanding scholarship in Jewish Ethics. Congratulations Dr. Claussen!
Read more here: www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Peters presents at Ecclesiology and Ethnography conference in UK The religious studies professor presented at a conference in Durham, England

Dr. Peters, Professor of Religious Studies, presented her research, “Balancing Ethics & Advocacy in The Abortion & Religion Study,” at the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Conference in Durham, U.K.! Proud to see Elon scholarship represented on an international stage.
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Last Thursday, faculty and students had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Sarah Imhoff, celebrated Jewish Studies scholar from Indiana University. During the lecture, Dr. Imhoff presented "Can you hear the Shofar? Religion and Disability." Thank you Dr. Imhoff for coming to speak with us!

Brian Pennington publishes study on secularism and Himalayan pilgrimage The article was published in the

Dr. Brian Pennington, Director of Elon’s Center for the Study of Religion, Culture and Society and Professor of Religious Studies, has published “An Elusive Himalayan Secularism: Managing Pilgrimage in Garhwal, 1815–2021” in the International Journal of Hindu Studies.
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Amy Allocco presents new research at the European Conference on South Asian Studies in Germany In a paper focused on musical, ritual and technological innovations among multiple generations of Hindu drummer-priests, Allocco shared findings from her recently completed sabbatical field research i...

Dr. Amy L. Allocco also presented her latest fieldwork on intergenerational innovation among Tamil Hindu drummer-priests at the 28th European Conference on South Asian Studies in Heidelberg. Read more here: www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Big congrats to Dr. Amy L. Allocco on co-editing a new volume Sweetening and Intensification: Currents Shaping Hindu Practices that explores how Hindu ritual is being transformed across South Asia and the diaspora.
www.elon.edu/.../professo...

We're happy to announce that the deadline for proposals to participate in the Sensorial Cosmologies and Cultural Resistance in Latin America has been extended to Oct. 31. Accommodation and meals covered for accepted participants. See more info here: www.elon.edu/u/academics/...

This school is fighting antisemitism all wrong. Why is it working? Elon University has earned praise for creating a safe campus for Jewish students even as it enables free speech blocked by other universities.

The Forward published this story about the work we do at Elon University to fight antisemitism on the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks today. It’s a comprehensive and fairly balanced picture of one side of our multifaith education efforts.

Read the article here: forward.com/news/antisem...

Exciting start to the 2025–2026 year at Elon!

We’re thrilled to welcome our 2027 Multifaith Scholars to campus. Each scholar is pursuing unique research at the intersections of faith, culture, and society, enriching our community with fresh perspectives and bold ideas.

www.elon.edu/u/academics/...

CSRCS Director Brian Pennington has just published this article about the history of secularism and its role in the management of Hindu temples in the Himalayan regions of North India.

Read the full article here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Book news!

Huge congrats to Dr. Amanda Kleintop on her new book Counting the Cost of Freedom.

It uncovers how white Southerners demanded compensation for enslaved people after the Civil War, and how those claims shaped the 14th Amendment.

Congrats, Dr. Kleintop!

Welcome, @elonreligion.bsky.social!

Magazine of Elon page featuring Rev. Donna Vanhook ’07 - faith leader, civic steward, environmental advocate // Burlington, North Carolina

It is wonderful to see Religious Studies Alum Rev. Donna Vanhook (Elon class of '07) featured in the magazine of Elon. ❤️🤍💛 www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Faculty, staff recognized for excellence in Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences The five annual awards celebrate excellence in teaching, scholarship, service-leadership, mentorship and staff in Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences.

Staff Spotlight: Morgan Troxler
Religious Studies Program Assistant, Morgan Troxler, has been recognized for her outstanding work. Thank you for all that you do Morgan!
Read More:
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Pamela Winfield presents research at major international conference on Buddhist art Winfield presented her work,

Dr. Pamela Winfield, professor of Buddhist studies, presented her research paper at a major international conference. Read more about her accomplishments here:
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Amy Allocco elected treasurer and executive at the International Association for the History of Religions World Congress In addition to being elected as Treasurer, Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Multifaith Scholars Program Amy Allocco also presented research and chaired meetings at the 23rd Quinquenn...

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Amy Allocco!
Amy Allocco elected treasurer and executive at the International Association for the History of Religions World Congress.
Read more about Dr. Allocco's recent accomplishments here: www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Musar for a Time of War: Justice, Compassion, Solidarity, and Equanimity ABSTRACT. This article considers how Jewish traditions regarding the virtues of justice, compassion, solidarity, and equanimity may help Jews resist calls to support violence against noncombatants dur...

Prof. Geoffrey Claussen: “As greater numbers of Jews around the world come to doubt the justice and necessity of the ongoing war, there may be hope for the growth of Jewish institutions that will better nurture the commitment to the justice, compassion, and solidarity that all people deserve..."

Andrew Monteith, associate professor of religious studies, published an article titled “The Attacks on Higher Education Have Religious Roots.” He argues that the Heritage Foundation’s Christian nationalism drives federal attacks on higher education. Read more here-->
therevealer.org/the-attacks-...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Amy Allocco - AAR We regularly spotlight members who are making waves in their departments, institutions, communities, or within AAR. If you would like to submit a member to be interviewed, please email communications@...

Prof. Amy Allocco was recently spotlighted by @aarweb.bsky.social. Learn more about her and her research here: aarweb.org/news/amy-all...

YouTube video by Elon University Department of Religious Studies Jewish Ethics in Response to Mass Killing: Musar amid the Violence in Israel/Palestine

Prof. Geoffrey Claussen recently lectured on "Jewish Ethics in Response to Mass Killing: Musar amid the Violence in Israel/Palestine." www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgfl... @geoffclaussen.bsky.social

Daniel Scheff, a 2024 Elon Religious Studies graduate and Multifaith Scholar, just recently published his work in JTAK. Be sure to check it out!
jtak.scholasticahq.com/article/1273...

Had a great experience sharing my current research project at UCSB. It was really energizing and I’m excited to get back to writing. #acwriting #writing #amwriting #relwriting

Read about Dr. Huber's lecture "Light Space, Good Space?" on Today at Elon! www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Be sure to drop by the Religious Studies picnic next Tuesday, May 6th, at 5:00pm! Hope to see you there for some yummy food and great conversation!!!

With SURF day today, we wanted to share the Religious Studies students that will be presenting their research! Be sure to come by and hear about their amazing projects!

Lynn R. Huber tapped to co-edit new book series Huber will develop and co-edit

Congratulations to Prof. Lynn Huber (@lhuber.bsky.social), who will be co-editing a new academic book series titled “Sexing Scripture” for Τ&Τ Clark/ Bloomsbury Publishing! www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Elon welcomes ninth class of Multifaith Scholars Through a two-year fellows program, the five students in this multidisciplinary cohort will undertake mentored undergraduate research projects, enroll in specialized coursework and engage in community...

Introducing the newest Multifaith Scholars! Over the next 2 years, these students will conduct mentored undergraduate research projects, enroll in specialized coursework and engage in community-based learning with diverse religious communities. Congratulations! www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Musar as a Challenge to the Justification of Mass Killing  — Sources Journal Geoffrey Claussen Spring 2025

"Engaging in critical reflection on musar traditions about justice and compassion may help those who are stuck in a mindset of justifying the killing of innocent people."

Check out Prof. Claussen's new and thought-provoking article! www.sourcesjournal.org/articles/mus...

NC Rabbis: This Passover we call on the White House to end wrongful detainment | Opinion We call for Jews and other minorities to be able to live in safety on college campuses and oppose targeting and detaining students without due process | Opinion

NC Rabbis: This Passover we call on the White House to end wrongful detainment
www.newsobserver.com/opinion/arti...

AI enters Elon courses as a classmate As a response to the questions raised today surrounding AI’s role in higher education, Elon University created six principles of its own in October 2024: human-centered work, overcoming the digital di...

Elon News Network recently shared an article about AI in the classroom. In it, it featured Religious Studies faculty member Dr. Orr and her class on Religion and AI. Be sure to give it a read and hear more about what her course offers! Link: www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2025...