Work with thought leaders and academic experts in religious studies

Companies can greatly benefit from collaborating with experts in the field of Religious studies. These professionals bring a deep understanding of diverse cultures, religions, and belief systems, which can help companies navigate global markets and improve interfaith communication. Additionally, their expertise in ethical decision-making can assist companies in developing responsible business practices. By working with Religious studies experts, companies can gain valuable insights into the impact of religion on society, politics, and consumer behavior.

Researchers on NotedSource with backgrounds in religious studies include YingFei Héliot, Roger Louis Martinez-Davila, Ryan Howell, Ali Gümüsay, Zahra Jamal, Norman Farb, Jacob Bullock, Sedefka Beck, Rosalind Hackett, Dr. Gustavo S. Betini, PhD, Lauren A. Mason, Nusrat Jahan Mim, and Dr. Leah Robinson, Ph.D.

Roger Louis Martinez-Davila

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States of America
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Most Relevant Research Interests
Religious studies
Other Research Interests (11)
Conversos
Europe
Middle Ages
paleography
digital humanities
And 6 more
About
s a Professor of History at the University of Colorado and a digital humanities innovator, I specialize in medieval and early modern history, focusing on the dynamic interplay of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures. My academic journey, rooted in a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, is dedicated to exploring the rich complexities of Spain, Iberia, and the [Global Middle Ages](https://grants.uccs.edu/igma/). Yet, it is grounded in industry and government, based on my prior almost decade long career in research forecasting at the Institute for the Future and governmental management consultant and strategic planning. My current work is distinguished by my innovative use of virtual reality, MOOCs, big data, and AI in historical manuscript studies, aiming to transform our approach to teaching, research, and knowledge creation. My career and life is characterized by a global scope, delving into the histories of regions like Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, Germany, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Iceland, Mexico, and South America. This includes prior residence in Spain, Bolivia, and South America, in addition to my native United States (TX, PA, CA, CO). This broad perspective enriches my research and teaching, allowing me to weave diverse historical narratives. A pivotal aspect of my work is my involvement with over 70,000 citizen scholars via MOOCs, university students, high school students, and the general public. This includes leading the “Immersive Global Middle Ages” project, which uses advanced digital tools to bring historical narratives to life. In December 2023, I launched a [Coursera.org Specialization titled “Personal Journeys: Identity, Motivation, and Resilience.”](https://www.coursera.org/specializations/identity-motivation-resilience) This three-course series explores the Renaissance’s cultural and intellectual legacy and modern global perspectives, focusing on self-discovery, motivation, and overcoming societal challenges. The courses offer an intellectual tapestry designed to foster resilience and growth in both personal and professional spheres. Central to my vision for future research and education is training AI as a “[collaborative AI humanist and scholar](https://urraca-ai.org/),” an endeavor that transcends academic research to pioneer new forms of human-AI collaboration. This initiative is about deepening our collective understanding of history’s longue durée through the lens of innovative technology.

See Full Profile

Ali Gümüsay

Head of the Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Society Research Group at the Humboldt Institute for Internet & Society
Research Interests (9)
Management of Technology and Innovation
Strategy and Management
Business and International Management
Psychiatry and Mental health
Marketing
And 4 more
About
My name is Ali Aslan Gümüsay. I work within the fields of **Organization Theory**, **Entrepreneurship**, **Business Ethics** and **Leadership**, am Head of the Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Society Research Group at the Humboldt Institute for Internet & Society and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hamburg. Currently, I am a Visiting Research Fellow at Judge Business School, Visiting Associate at Hughes Hall, and Visiting Scholar at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge. Before, I was a DAAD PRIME Fellow, Lecturer at Magdalen College, and a DPhil Candidate at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. At the heart of my research are concerns around **Organizing in & for Society**. It is guided by four questions: 1. How do values and meaning shape organizations and how are they managed? 2. How do new forms of organizing impact and deal with societal Grand Challenges? 3. How can engaged, passionate, humble, relevant, and meaningful scholarship as well as soci(et)al complexity and diversity be ingrained in academic practices? 4. How do socio-technological transformations such as AI shape the Future of Work? My work has been published in journals such as *Academy of Management Journal*, *Academy of Management Perspectives*, *Business & Society*, *Innovation: Organization & Management*, *Journal of Business Ethics*, *Journal of Management Studies* and *Research Policy*.

See Full Profile

Zahra Jamal

Associate Director at Rice University's Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, overseeing strategy, operations, and outreach
Research Interests (0)
About
Dr. Zahra Nasiruddin Jamal is Associate Director at Rice University's Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, where she oversees strategy, operations, and outreach. She has served on the faculty at Harvard, MIT, University of Chicago, Michigan State University (MSU), and Palmer Trinity. Dr. Jamal founded and directed the Civil Islam Initiative at University of Chicago and the Central Asia and International Development Initiative at MSU. She was previously Associate Director of the Center for the Study of American Muslims at The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), where she is currently a Fellow. Dr. Jamal has consulted for the UN, State Department, Aga Khan Development Network, Swiss Development Cooperation, and Aspen Institute on issues of philanthropy and civic engagement, education, positive youth development, migrant labor, gender-equity, food security, and refugee settlement in North America, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia. She has published in academic and popular venues, including *I Speak for Myself*, a volume of autobiographical accounts of 40 American Muslim women leaders, which has been positively reviewed by Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Deepak Chopra, and others. Dr. Jamal received a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard, and double B.A. in Slavic Studies and in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from Rice. She joined the Institute in 2015.

See Full Profile

Jacob Bullock

Thought Leader in AI for Education/ Content Creator
Most Relevant Research Interests
Religious studies
Other Research Interests (3)
Intercultural Leadership and Education
biblical studies
Cognitive Linguistic
About
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑦 <br> Global Leader: As part of the Summer Institute of Linguistics, I immersed myself in the rich cultural tapestry of Papua New Guinea. My work involved creating meaningful educational content, bridging linguistic gaps, facilitating understanding, and empowering local communities. 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 • I thrive in multicultural environments, leveraging my insights to drive collaboration and mutual understanding. 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 • My passion for ancient texts fuels my exploration of biblical narratives and their relevance in today’s world. • I believe our emerging understanding of human cognition highlights the beauty and intricacy of the Biblical text. 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 • From magazine articles to social media, I challenge the status quo in the public sphere. • As a scholar of Native American ancestry, I’ve left my mark on academia through a robust publication record. • My research has been published in reputable journals, contributing to the scholarly discourse. 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 • I believe that education transcends borders. I’ve championed cross-cultural learning experiences that enrich both students and educators. • I’m a passionate advocate for holistic, culturally rooted education.
Most Relevant Publications (2+)

10 total publications

Paul's Contestation of Israel's (Ethnic) Memory of Abraham in Galatians 3

Biblical Theology Bulletin: Journal of Bible and Culture / Feb 01, 2006

Esler, P. F. (2006). Paul’s Contestation of Israel’s (Ethnic) Memory of Abraham in Galatians 3. Biblical Theology Bulletin: Journal of Bible and Culture, 36(1), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461079060360010302

Book Review: The Son of God Among the Sons of Men

Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology / Jul 01, 1950

Bullock, L. (1950). Book Review: The Son of God Among the Sons of Men. Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, 4(3), 380–380. https://doi.org/10.1177/002096435000400322

See Full Profile

Sedefka Beck

Associate professor of economics with a passion for data analysis and its capacity to convert raw data into valuable insights
Most Relevant Research Interests
Religious studies
Other Research Interests (1)
Economics and Econometrics
About
Sedefka Beck, Ph.D. has been teaching at Valparaiso University for the last 12 years. She came to higher education after an extensive experience in the industry. She has delivered data driven management solutions in the areas of Marketing Analytics, Risk Management, Business Strategy and Fraud analysis at Citigroup, Discover and HSBC. In addition to her experience in the financial services industry, she has developed analytically driven business solutions for Geometry Global’s web-based retail client, while employing various reporting, segmentation and modeling techniques.
Most Relevant Publications (2+)

4 total publications

A Gospel of Prosperity? An Analysis of the Relationship Between Religion and Earned Income in Ghana, the Most Religious Country in the World*

Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion / Mar 01, 2016

Beck, S. V., & Gundersen, S. J. (2016). A Gospel of Prosperity? An Analysis of the Relationship Between Religion and Earned Income in Ghana, the Most Religious Country in the World*. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 55(1), 105–129. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12247

Wage Differentials in the United States: Does Religious Participation Matter?

Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion / Sep 01, 2016

Beck, S. V. (2016). Wage Differentials in the United States: Does Religious Participation Matter? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 55(3), 558–578. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12286

See Full Profile

Rosalind Hackett

Distinguished Professor in the Humanities
Most Relevant Research Interests
Religious studies
Other Research Interests (3)
Cultural Studies
History
Sociology and Political Science
About
Rosalind I. J. Hackett is an Extraordinary Professor at University of the Western Cape, South Africa (Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice). She was professor and head of religious studies and adjunct in anthropology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. From 2003-08 she was a Distinguished Professor in the Humanities. She received her PhD in religious studies from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1986, and prior to that taught at Nigerian universities for eight years. In 2000-01 she spent a year at Harvard University as a Liberal Arts Fellow in Law and Religion, Harvard Law School, and was a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of World Religions at HDS. She was a Rockefeller Research Fellow at the Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame in 2003-04. She was appointed a Mellon Fellow at the University of Cape Town in Religious Studies in May 2014. Dr. Hackett has published widely on religion in Africa, notably on new religious movements, religious media, gender and religion, regulation of religious diversity, and religion and conflict. She has been very active in the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) and was reelected President from 2010-15). She is the cofounder of the IAHR Women Scholars Network. She was a founding member of the African Association for the Study of Religions and has also served as President of the North American Association for the Study of Religions. She is part of the founding steering committee of the African Consortium on Law and Religion Studies, founder/coordinator of the Jazz for Justice Project and the UT Gulu Study and Service Abroad Program in Northern Uganda.
Most Relevant Publications (5+)

11 total publications

Power and Periphery: Studies of Gender and Religion in Africa

Method &amp; Theory in the Study of Religion / Jan 01, 2000

Hackett, R. I. J. (2000). Power and Periphery: Studies of Gender and Religion in Africa. Method &amp; Theory in the Study of Religion, 12(1–4), 238–244. https://doi.org/10.1163/157006800x00148

Oslo Conference On Freedom of Religion or Belief Oslo, Norway, 12-15 August 1998

Method &amp; Theory in the Study of Religion / Jan 01, 1999

Hackett, R. I. J. (1999). Oslo Conference On Freedom of Religion or Belief Oslo, Norway, 12-15 August 1998. Method &amp; Theory in the Study of Religion, 11(1), 64–68. https://doi.org/10.1163/157006899x00393

Art and Religion in Africa: Some Observations and Reflections

Journal of Religion in Africa / Jan 01, 1994

Hackett, R. I. J. (1994). Art and Religion in Africa: Some Observations and Reflections. Journal of Religion in Africa, 24(1–4), 294–308. https://doi.org/10.1163/157006694x00165

Theory of Social Involvement: A Case Study in the Anthropology of Religion, State, and Society

Journal of Religion in Africa / Aug 01, 1994

Hackett, R. I. J., & Aigbe, S. A. (1994). Theory of Social Involvement: A Case Study in the Anthropology of Religion, State, and Society. Journal of Religion in Africa, 24(3), 267. https://doi.org/10.2307/1581303

Report On the Conference "the Study of Religions in Africa", the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, September 15-19, 1992

Numen / Jan 01, 1993

Olupona, J. K., & Hackett, R. I. J. (1993). Report On the Conference “the Study of Religions in Africa”, the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, September 15-19, 1992. Numen, 40(3), 319–321. https://doi.org/10.1163/156852793x00202

See Full Profile

Dr. Gustavo S. Betini, PhD

Guelph
Mental health and climate change
Most Relevant Research Interests
Religious studies
Other Research Interests (20)
Mental Health
Climate Change
Epidemiology
Ecology
Cultural Studies
And 15 more
About
I am a PhD student in the School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo. I have a PhD in Ecology and large experience using a number of quantitative tools to investigate how organisms adapt to rapid changes in their environment. I am now interested in understanding how these same rapid environmental changes (such as climate change) impact mental health. For my PhD, I am developing tools to identify individuals at risk of negative health outcomes during heat waves.
Most Relevant Publications (1+)

37 total publications

Annotated checklist of the birds of Brazil by the Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee / Lista comentada das aves do Brasil pelo Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos

Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia / Jun 01, 2015

de Piacentini, V. Q., Aleixo, A., Agne, C. E., Maurício, G. N., Pacheco, J. F., Bravo, G. A., Brito, G. R. R., Naka, L. N., Olmos, F., Posso, S., Silveira, L. F., Betini, G. S., Carrano, E., Franz, I., Lees, A. C., Lima, L. M., Pioli, D., Schunck, F., do Amaral, F. R., … Cesari, E. (2015). Annotated checklist of the birds of Brazil by the Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee / Lista comentada das aves do Brasil pelo Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 23(2), 91–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03544294

See Full Profile

Lauren A. Mason

Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Ph.D. candidate in cognitive psychology with publications on learning, memory, and performance optimization in academic and workplace settings. Expert in content development within the higher education space.
Most Relevant Research Interests
Religious studies
Other Research Interests (15)
Cognitive Psychology
Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive Neuroscience
Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Physiology
And 10 more
About
My research broadly investigates how metacognition and other self-regulatory strategies can be leveraged to optimize human cognitive performance. I've targeted this investigation from many directions, including how special experiences such as bilingualism drive cognition and how regulating one's physiology through diaphragmatic breathing can improve test performance. My most recent research investigates how reflecting on one's likelihood to remember environment information improves wayfinding success. My work is largely applied with implications for academic and workplace settings. In addition to conducting research, I share insights from my PhD journey and lifestyle on social media platforms including Instagram and YouTube (@laurenfindsaway). I am passionate about encouraging authenticity in academia to 1. promote approachability for first-generation college students considering postgraduate education and 2. highlight strategies for current graduate students to overcome academic hurdles and thrive.
Most Relevant Publications (1+)

15 total publications

Healing Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diaphragmatic Breathing

Biofeedback / Feb 01, 2017

Peper, E., Mason, L., & Huey, C. (2017). Healing Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diaphragmatic Breathing. Biofeedback, 45(4), 83–87. https://doi.org/10.5298/1081-5937-45.4.04

See Full Profile

Nusrat Jahan Mim

Doctor of Design Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Design
Most Relevant Research Interests
Religious studies
Other Research Interests (9)
Urban Design Politics
Human Computer Interaction
Strategy and Management
Building and Construction
Management of Technology and Innovation
And 4 more
About
Nusrat Jahan Mim is a Doctor of Design candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Design. Her research focuses on post-colonial, post-secular urban designs and human-computer interaction. By examining existing systems, she explores how different spatial and technical designs challenge or propagate social exclusions in the Global South. She designs alternatives for such marginal contexts. Her work has earned awards in leading design and computing venues, including ACM CHI, Lafarge-Holcim, Laka International, etc. Prior to Harvard, she won the prestigious AIA Henry Adams Medal from the Syracuse School of Architecture for achieving the highest academic rank in M.Arch. She also earned citations for excellence in her M.Arch thesis titled Subaltern Virtualities. She achieved her B.Arch with distinction from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
Most Relevant Publications (1+)

13 total publications

Religion at the Margins: Resistance to Secular Humanitarianism at the Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh

Religions / Aug 16, 2020

Mim, N. J. (2020). Religion at the Margins: Resistance to Secular Humanitarianism at the Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh. Religions, 11(8), 423. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel11080423

See Full Profile

Dr. Leah Robinson, Ph.D

PhD Professor with specialities in Humanities research. 14 years experience with publications for reference. DEI research qualified
Most Relevant Research Interests
Religious studies
Other Research Interests (9)
Urban Studies
Development
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Philosophy
History
And 4 more
About
Passionate teacher, administrator, researcher, and grant writer for over 14 years. Dedicated to education and the pursuit of knowledge in all forms. Advised and mentored students from ages 17-77 to help them pursue their future careers. Worked in two research intensive universities, so have the ability to manage time and resources on research projects and reports for high stakes donors. Clear communication and translation skills verbally and in writing. Project managed classrooms, grants, projects and even entire departments of educators. Personal areas of expertise in research and development are in the humanities-specifically in areas like history, religion, sociology, psychology, and the arts.
Most Relevant Publications (2+)

9 total publications

Melting the Icepacks of Enmity: Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland

Studies in Christian Ethics / May 01, 2011

Biggar, N. (2011). Melting the Icepacks of Enmity: Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Studies in Christian Ethics, 24(2), 199–209. https://doi.org/10.1177/0953946810397444

Sebastian C. H. Kim, Pauline Kollontai, and Greg Hoyland. 2008. Peace and Reconciliation: In Search of a Shared Identity. Hampshire: Ashgate, pp. 205, Hb £55. ISBN-13: 978-0754664611.

Studies in World Christianity / Apr 01, 2010

Robinson, L. (2010). Sebastian C. H. Kim, Pauline Kollontai, and Greg Hoyland. 2008. Peace and Reconciliation: In Search of a Shared Identity. Hampshire: Ashgate, pp. 205, Hb £55. ISBN-13: 978-0754664611. Studies in World Christianity, 16(1), 102–103. https://doi.org/10.3366/e1354990110000791

See Full Profile

Example religious studies projects

How can companies collaborate more effectively with researchers, experts, and thought leaders to make progress on religious studies?

Cultural Sensitivity Training

A Religious studies expert can develop and deliver cultural sensitivity training programs to help companies understand and respect the religious beliefs and practices of their employees and customers. This can improve interfaith communication and create a more inclusive work environment.

Market Research

Religious studies experts can conduct market research to identify consumer behavior patterns influenced by religious beliefs. This information can help companies tailor their marketing strategies and products to specific religious demographics.

Ethics Consultation

Companies can consult with Religious studies experts to navigate ethical dilemmas and develop responsible business practices. These experts can provide insights into the ethical implications of business decisions and help companies align their actions with their values.

Content Creation

Religious studies experts can contribute to content creation by providing accurate and insightful information about religious traditions, rituals, and beliefs. This can enhance the cultural relevance and authenticity of company communications and marketing materials.

Conflict Resolution

In situations where religious differences contribute to conflicts within a company or between stakeholders, Religious studies experts can provide mediation and conflict resolution services. Their understanding of religious perspectives can help bridge gaps and foster understanding.