POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITIONS                                                                                                                
University of Cologne Multidisciplinary Environmental Studies in the Humanities
Oct. 2023-        Affiliate Researcher, Religion and Ecology, Focus: Religion and Nature Conservation;
Present             Bees for Peace (community-based research project) (www.beesforpeace.org)                        
 
University of Toronto Mississauga Dept. of Historical Studies, Canada
Apr. 2023-        Research Associate Position to Implement Bees for Peace Summer Camps for Children,
Sept. 2023         In Cooperation with the United Church of Canada and Pollinator Partnership Canada
 
University of Toronto School of the Environment, Canada, in Cooperation with the University of Marburg, Germany and Pollinator Partnership Canada
Mar. 2021-        Postdoctoral Position to Implement Bees for Peace,
Sept. 2022         Interfaith Engagement for Pollinator Protection, in the Greater Toronto Area
 
University of Marburg, Germany
Sept. 2017-        Independent Research Project, funded by the German Research Foundation
Mar. 2021         Project No. DO 2108/1-2
Title: The Greening of Religions: Unlocking the Potential of Religion for Nature Conservation
 
EDUCATION    
The University of Chicago Divinity School, Ph.D., 2012, Study of Religions
The University of Chicago Divinity School, M.A., 1999, Study of Religions
San Francisco State University, B.A., 1993, Special Major in Feminist Theory and the Creative Arts
magna cum laude
 
LANGUAGES
  • English: native speaker
  • German: fluent in reading, writing and speaking

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS (selected)
  • United Church of Canada, funding for Research Associate position at the University of Toronto to implement summer camps for children regarding pollinator education and protection
  • UN Decade on Biodiversity in Germany, Official Project award for Bees for Peace, engaging faith communities for bee protection, 2020-2022
  • German Research Foundation, Independent Research Project, 2017-2021
  • Wilder Fellowship (for Jungian studies), University of Chicago Divinity School, 2009-2010
  • Martin Marty Center Junior Fellowship (interdisciplinary seminar and stipend for Ph.D. candidates studying religion), University of Chicago Divinity School, 2008-2009
  • German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) Dissertation Research Grant, 2007-2008, Fall 2009
  • Full Tuition Scholarship, University of Chicago Divinity School, 1997-2001
 
PUBLICATIONS
Book Publication in Progress
The Greening of Religions: Unlocking the Potential of Religions for Nature Conservation (contract with Routledge).
Book Publications
2016. Jung’s Wandering Archetype: Race and Religion in Analytical Psychology. Abingdon/New York: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315713465
Editorship of Special Journal Issue
2020. Guest editor of Bees and Honey in Religions, special issue of the Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture 14(3). “Special Issue Introduction: Bees and Honey in Religions,” in ibid.: 315-323. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.42365
Articles and Book Chapters
2025. With Kate Rigby. “‘Bees for Peace’: Pollinators, Plants and Places of Worship.” In Roman Bartosch, Ursula K. Heise, and Kate Rigby, Unsettling Extinction. London: Bloomsbury. Forthcoming.
2025. “Dark Green Religion or Humanizing Nature? Exploring How Nature and Its Conservation Is Understood in the Religions for Biological Diversity Project in Germany.” Submitted to Dark Green Religion in Europe: History and Impacts, Dangers and Prospects special issue of the Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture.
2024. “Creating Community through Church-based Pollinator Gardening.” Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology 28(2): 168-188. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685357-02802008
2023. “‘What does religion have to do with nature conservation?’ Investigating the Tensions in an Interreligious Nature Conservation Project in Germany.” In Jens Köhrsen, Julia Blanc and Fabian Huber (eds.), Global Religious Environmental Activism: Emerging Tensions in Earth Stewardship. Ch. 9. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003017967
2022. “‘What does religion have to do with nature conservation?’: Conflicts, Cooperation and Competing Conceptualizations of Religion and Nature Conservation in the German Religions for Biological Diversity Project.” Kyung Hee University Institute for Liberal Arts and Education, South Korea. Humanitas Forum 8(2): 67-99.
2022. “Schützen die Religionen die Natur zusammen? Wie eine interreligiöse Initiative für biologische Vielfalt in Deutschland Religion und Naturschutz ändert.” (Are Religions Protecting Nature Together? How an Interfaith Initiative for Biological Diversity in Germany is changing Religion and Nature Conservation). In Michael Klöcker und Udo Tworuschka (eds.) Handbuch der Religionen (Handbook of Religions). Hohenwarsleben: Westarp Science.
2020. “Mobilizing Faith Communities for Bee Preservation: An Analysis of Bees for Peace.” Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture 14(3): 412-438. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.41903
2016. “Analytical Psychology as Modern Revelation: C. G. Jung between Master and Scientist.” In J. Lee-Kalisch and A. Renger (eds.), Meister und Schüler. Master and Disciple. Tradition, Transfer, Transformation. Weimar: VDG, 109-124.
2011. “Wotan and the ‘archetypal Ergriffenheit:’ Mystical Union, National Spiritual Rebirth and Culture-Creating Capacity in C. G. Jung’s ‘Wotan’ Essay.” History of European Ideas 37.3: 344-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.histeuroideas.2010.12.001
1998. “God and Grad Students Descend on Texas: A Field Report on the Chen Tao.” Co-authored with R. Cook, D. Daschke und M. Goff. Millennial Prophecy Report 7.2 (no longer available online).
Book Reviews
2017. Book review, Voices from Religions for Sustainable Development, K. Singh and J. Steinau-Clark (eds).
Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture 11.2: 271-273. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.32862
2005. Book review, Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism, M. Gardell.
The Journal of Religion 85.4: 696–697.
 
UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Multiple Universities
  • Key Competencies and Transferable Skills. Independent Instructor, all disciplines, 2012 – present, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, in-person and online. Courses: Professional Presentations at Conferences and in the Academic World; Writing and Publishing Research Articles in English; Successful Postdoctoral and Academic Applications Abroad; Getting to “Done”: Time Management for Doctoral Students; Reading and Study Skills in English for Master’s and Doctoral Students.
University of Toronto
  • Introduction to Religion (RLG101H LEC0101). Sessional Instructional Assistant. Winter 2023.
  • Bees for Peace; Engaging Religious Communities for Pollinator Protection, Research Opportunity Program. Lead researcher of a team of diverse undergraduate researchers. Summer 2022.
  • Religious Violence and Nonviolence (ANT369H5F). Sessional Instructor. Fall 2021.
University of Marburg Department for the Study of Religions
  • The Ecological Turn in Religions in and Beyond Germany: Adaptation, Transformation, Innovation and Tradition. Lecturer. Winter 2020-21.
  • The Ecological Turn in Religions in and Beyond Germany: Adaptation, Transformation, Innovation and Tradition. Lecturer (in German). Summer 2015.
  • Images of Self and Other in the Study of Religions: Contemporary Theory Applied to Freud and Jung. Lecturer (in German). Summer 2015.
  • Religion, Nature and Environment: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Paganism. Lecturer. Summer 2013.
  • Religion and Ecology: Christianity, Buddhism and Paganism. Lecturer. Summer 2012.
  • Germanic Myth and Ideology in Theory, Scholarship and Religion. Lecturer. Winter 2011-12.
  • Forms of Shiite Islam and Religions of the Middle East. Discussion Facilitator/Tutor. Summer 2011.
  • Comparative Religion and Contemporary Theory: Selected Texts. Lecturer. Winter 2010-11.
  • Ring Lecture Series on Religion and Humor. Discussion Facilitator/Tutor. Winter 2010-11.
  • C. G. Jung and Emerging Spiritualities in the West. Lecturer. Summer 2010.
University of Marburg Language Center, Advanced English. Instructor. 2012-2015.
  • Grammar and Vocabulary (C1). Lecturer. Winter 2013-14.
  • Grammar and Vocabulary (C1). Lecturer. Summer 2013.
  • Consolidation Class I (B2). Lecturer. Summer 2013.
  • Communicating in English (B2). Lecturer. Winter 2012-13.
  • Grammar and Vocabulary (C1). Lecturer. Winter 2012-13.
  • Conference English (C1). Lecturer. Summer 2012.
  • Consolidation Class I (B2). Lecturer. Summer 2012.
  • Conference English (C1). Lecturer. Winter 2011-12.
The University of Chicago Divinity School The University of Chicago German Language Department
  • German 101, 102, 103. Instructor. 2008-2009.
INVITED ACADEMIC LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
  • A Covenant for the Earth: An Introduction to Islam and Ecology. With Imam Saffet Catovic and Prof. Dr. Catherine Rigby, Prof. Dr. Katajun Amirpur, and Prof. Dr. Laurel Kearns. Hybrid Public Roundtable Discussion, University of Cologne International House. Dec. 3, 2024.
  • Bees for Peace: How and Why. “Communicate Your Research in the Humanities” Conference, A.R.T.E.S.: School of the Humanities at the University of Cologne, June 14, 2024.
  • Bees for Peace: Bees Building Peace between Humans. Polish Ecumenical Council, July 11, 2023.
  • Bees for Peace: Bees Building Peace between Humans. University of Cologne Multidisciplinary Environmental Studies in the Humanities (MESH) Department, Oct. 20-22, 2022.
  • Bees for Peace; Engaging Religious Communities for Pollinator Protection. May 5, 2022. Guest lecture for Prof. Sara Pike’s course “Religion and Nature”, California State University Chico.
  • Seeking, Creating and Preserving Common Ground: An Inside Look at Interfaith Initiatives for Nature Conservation in Germany and Canada. Feb. 28, 2022. Guest lecture for Prof. Stephen Scharper’s course, ENV1008H: Worldviews and Ecology, University of Toronto School of the Environment. 
  • Seeking, Creating and Preserving Common Ground: Reconciling Religion and Environmentalism. Oct. 29, 2021. Lecture, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program, Schools for the Planet Conference, Hawaii.
  • Bees for Peace: Why and How. What We Learned in Cologne and Toronto. May 19, 2021. Lecture, University of Toronto School of the Environment Summer Series Webinar.
  • Seeking, Inventing and Preserving Common Ground: An Inside Investigation of an Interfaith Initiative for Nature Conservation in Germany. Apr. 27, 2021. Annual meeting lecture, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Religion, University of Marburg.
  • “What does religion have to do with nature conservation?” Interreligious Cooperation and Conflict in a Nature Conservation Project in Germany (in German). June 2, 2020. Guest lecture for Prof. Michael Schmiedel’s course on Religions for Future, Bielefeld University.
  • “What does religion have to do with nature conservation?” Participants’ Views in a Project for Biological Diversity in Germany (in German). Oct. 16, 2019. Public lecture, Religion on Wednesday lecture series, University of Marburg, Department of the Study of Religions.
  • Religions Saving Nature Together: Urban Interreligious Cooperation for Nature Conservation in Germany (in German). June 28, 2018. Munster University of Applied Sciences, Dept. of Food Nutrition Facilities.
  • “We have a genuine barbarian in us:” C. G. Jung’s Religious-psychological Reflections on “Primitive” Religions (in German). June 3, 2015. Public lecture, Religion on Wednesday lecture series, University of Marburg, Department of the Study of Religions.
  • The Concept of Mana in the Analytical Psychological Theory of C. G. Jung. Nov. 11, 2011. Guest lecture for Dr. Nicolas Meylan’s course on Construction, usages et destins d’une catégorie en histoire des religions: le mana, the University of Geneva.
  • C. G. Jung’s Wotan (in German). June 24 and July 1, 2008. Guest lectures for Dr. Katja Triplett’s Hermeneutik Seminar, University of Marburg, Department of the Study of Religions.
  • The Mythopoetic Men’s Movement. Feb. 14, 2001. Guest lecture for Dr. Joachim Kersten’s Masculinities seminar, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
 
ORGANIZATION OF CONFERENCES AND CONFERENCE PANELS
Between the End of the World and Global Conversion: The Religious Aspects of Peace and Violence in the Conservation of Nature (in German). Sept. 12, 2019. An interdisciplinary conference (humanities and social sciences). Melanchthon Academy, Cologne.
Bees and Honey in Religions and in Our Contemporary World. Sept. 6, 2018. An interdisciplinary conference (humanities, social sciences, ecology and political advocacy). Melanchthon Academy, Cologne.
The Environmentalist Turn in Religions. Aug. 25, 2015. First Panel: Religious Communities in Society: Adaptation and Transformation. Second Panel: Practices and Discourses: Innovation and Tradition. Twenty-First World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions, Erfurt.
Violence and Redemption Conference and Late Liberalism Project Lecture Series. Organizer. 2000-2001. The University of Chicago Center for Gender Studies.
 
INITIATION AND ORGANIZATION OF EVENTS
  • Buzzin’ Bees Summer Camps for Children, July-August 2023. 6 week-long summer camps in conjunction with the United Church of Canada to test strategies for evoking positive emotions in children towards bees.
  • The Birds and the Bees and the Trees Retreat Series: Bees, June 10-12, 2022. Co-led with Greg Kennedy a spiritual and practical retreat on bee preservation. Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Guelph.
  • Interreligious Week of Nature Conservation in Cologne and Region. Sept. 8-17, 2019. Orchestrated the Cologne Week and co-planned or moderated several of the twenty-five events that took place over ten days at multiple sites in Cologne, Bonn and Hambach Forest. Co-sponsored by my own organization Tomorrow e.V., the Abrahamic Forum in Germany and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (brochure online at: https://www.stadt-koeln.de/leben-in-koeln/veranstaltungen/daten/27398/index.html).
  • Interreligious Week of Nature Conservation in Cologne and Region. Sept. 2-9, 2018. Initiated and orchestrated the Cologne Week and co-planned or moderated several of the fourteen events that took place over nine days at multiple sites in Cologne. Co-sponsored by the Abrahamic Forum in Germany and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. (brochure online at: https://www.stadt-koeln.de/leben-in-koeln/veranstaltungen/daten/25147/index.html).
 
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
University teaching
  • Thorough familiarity with the online learning platforms QUERCUS and ILIAS.
  • THE500H: Teaching in Higher Education, University of Toronto, Winter Semester 2022.
  • Seminar on Teaching Portfolios, 4 hours, University of Chicago, Summer 2009.
  • Seminar on Course Design, 4 hours, University of Chicago, Spring 2009.
  • Two-Day Workshop on Teaching in the College, 16 hours, University of Chicago, Fall 2008.
Language teaching
  • CELTA Cambridge Certification for English Language Teaching to Adults. International Training Institute, Istanbul, April-May 2014.
  • Pedagogy Course on the Acquisition and Teaching of German, 45 hours, German Language Department, University of Chicago, Fall 2007.
Research
  • Grounded Theory, 16 hours, Gießen Methods Workshop, University of Gießen, Feb. 2019.
  • Discourse Analysis, 5 hours, Gießen Methods Workshop, University of Gießen, Feb. 2014.
  • Questionnaire Development, 16 hours, Gießen Methods Workshop, University of Gießen, Feb. 2014.
  • Qualitative Research Method as “Method of Choice,” 16 hours, University of Marburg, Nov. 2013.
Justice, peace and sustainability
  • Impact Entrepreneurship 101: Creating Entrepreneurships that Align with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Toronto Centre for Social Innovation, Fall 2021.
  • Green Entrepreneurship Course Completion Certificate, Learning for Nature, Dec. 2020.
  • The Current Situation in Afghanistan and the Treatment of Afghan Refugees in the German Asylum Procedure. Cologne Center for Refugees, Nov. 11, 2019.
  • The Current Situation of Afghanistan: The Reality on the Ground and the Practice of Deportation in Germany. Cologne Center for Refugees, Nov. 21, 2018.
  • Foundations of Asylum Rights. Cologne Center for Refugees, Oct. 30, 2018.
  • Earth Charter Representative Training, Mar. 11-13 and May 27-29, 2016.
 
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
  • Dark Green Religion or Humanizing Nature? An Exploration of the Significance of Values Expression in the Religions for Biological Diversity Project in Germany. April 26, 2024. Dark Green Religion in Europe: History and Impacts, Dangers and Prospects Conference, Leibniz Institute of European History, Mainz.
  • Bees for Peace: Educating and Engaging People About Native Bees. Feb. 3, 2023.  After Earth? Religion and Technology on a Changing Planet Conference of the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture.
  • On the Road to Katowice: Reflecting on Religion and Sustainability through the Pilgrimage for Climate Justice (in German). Sept. 12, 2019. Between the End of the World and Global Conversion: The Religious Aspects of Peace and Violence in the Conservation of Nature Conference. Melanchthon Academy, Cologne.
  • On the Road to Katowice: Reflecting on Religion and Sustainability through the Pilgrimage for Climate Justice. June 26, 2019. European Association for the Study of Religions, Tartu.
  • Religions Saving Nature Together? Urban Interreligious Cooperation on Nature Conservation in Cologne. Report on Survey Results. June 14, 2019. International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture Conference, Cork.
  • What Does Religion Have to Do with Protecting Nature? Cooperation and Conflict in an Interreligious Endeavor to Preserve Nature in Germany. May 24, 2019. Religious Environmentalism: A Field of Tensions Interdisciplinary Conference, Basel.
  • Green Roosters and Solar Crosses: The Greening of German Protestant Christianity. June 18, 2018. European Association for the Study of Religions, Bern.
  • Religions Saving Nature Together? Urban Interreligious Cooperation on Nature Conservation in Germany. Midpoint Report. June 17, 2018. European Association for the Study of Religions, Bern.
  • Solar Panels on Churches and Mosques: Signs of the Greening of Religions in Germany? May 19, 2017. Faith Communities and Environmental Activism Conference, Edinburgh.
  • Interreligious Initiatives for the Environment in and Beyond Germany. May 19, 2017. Faith Communities and Environmental Activism Conference, Edinburgh.
  • Saving Nature Together? Nature Conservancy and Interreligious Cooperation and Conflict in Germany. Report on the Start of the Religions for Biological Diversity Project. Aug. 25, 2015. Twenty-First World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions, Erfurt.
  • A Tale of Two Primitives: The Role and Limitations of Transnational Encounters in the Development of Carl Jung’s Psychological Theory. Aug. 24, 2015. Twenty-First World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions, Erfurt.
  • A “Psychotherapy of German Descent:” Racial, Religious and Gendered Ideologies in Carl Jung’s Biologized Theory of Analytical Psychology. July 31, 2013. European Society for the History of Human Sciences, Wurzburg.
  • Jungian Archetypes, Metagenetics and the Kennewick Man: Scientific Discourses and Racial Theory in American Folkish Asatru. Nov. 20, 2011. American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, San Diego.
  • From Infantile Psychological States to the Source of Rejuvenation: Diverging Theories of Race, Religion and the “Primitive” in the Works of Freud and Jung, Nov. 18, 2011. American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, San Diego.
  • Archaic Man, Modern Masses and the Instinctual Passion for the Inner Divinity: A Post-Colonial Reading of C. G. Jung’s Concept of Primitivity. Aug. 19, 2010. International Association for the History of Religions, Toronto.
  • Analytical Psychology as Modern Revelation: C. G. Jung between Master and Scientist. April 24, 2010. Master-Disciple Relationship in Interdisciplinary Discourse Workshop, Berlin.
  • “To fall into the hands of a living god:” C. G. Jung’s “Wotan” as Tragedy. April 4, 2009. Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, Chicago.
  • Chen Tao. April 1998. Millennium Watch 2000 Conference, University of Chicago Divinity School.
 
TALKS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT BEES FOR PEACE                                                      
Toronto, Canada
  • Children’s Mass Program and Lunchtime Talk, Holy Name Parish, June 4, 2023.
  • “Protecting Pollinators through the Web of Life,” Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice, Sept. 19, 2022.
  • “Bees for Peace Seminar and Picnic” for German Diaspora Churches of Toronto, Aug. 6, 2022.
  • “A Weekend Full of Bees Retreat,” Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, June 9-11, 2022.  
  • “Partnering for Peace and Pollinators,” Manor Road United Church Speaker Series (online), May 13, 2022.
  • “Restoring Paradise: Mental, Ecological and Community Rejuvenation through Native Plant Gardening” (online via EventBrite), Apr. 27, 2022.
  • “Restoring Paradise: Mental, Ecological and Community Rejuvenation through Native Plant Gardening,” St. Luke’s United Church After-Service Social Hour (online), Apr. 24, 2022.
  • “Restoring Paradise: Mental, Ecological and Community Rejuvenation through Native Plant Gardening” (online via EventBrite), Apr. 20, 2022.
  • “Partnering for Peace and Pollinators,” Catholic Diocesan Council of Peace and Development (online), March 9, 2022.
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, presentation to Fr. Mbugua, Oct. 21, 2021. 
  • “Bees for Peace: Why and How,” Garden Club of Toronto (online), Oct. 13, 2021.
  • “Dinner Church with Bees for Peace,” Martin Luther Church, Etobicoke (online), May 19, 2021.
Germany (online)
  • “Wie lange brummt und summt es noch…? (How much longer will we still hear humming and buzzing…?)”. Nov. 23, 2020. Moderator of a discussion about insect protection as a religious and scientific concern (in German). Held in conjunction with the Abrahamic Forum in Germany.
PUBLIC TALKS ON THE INTERRELIGIOUS WEEK FOR NATURE CONSERVATION                
  • International Impulses for Interreligious Environmentalism: USA (in German). Oct. 18, 2019. Celebrating Nature Dialog Forum, Mainz.
  • Religion and Nature Conservation. Podium discussion (in German). Sept. 13, 2019. DITIB Central Mosque, Cologne.
  • Religions and Nature Conservation: Self-concepts and Potentials. Podium discussion (in German). Sept. 4, 2018. Domforum of the Archdiocese of Cologne.
  • Insights on the First Religious Week for Nature Conservation in Darmstadt (in German). Nov. 9, 2017. Religions for Biological Diversity Dialog Forum, Frankfurt am Main.
  • Laudato Si’, Interreligious Discussion: Insights from Buddhism (in German). Sept. 7, 2017. St. Elisabeth’s Church, Darmstadt.
  • Discussion of the Joint Declaration on Religions for Biological Diversity (in German). April 10, 2015. German Islam Forum, Frankfurt.
 
MEDIA APPEARANCES
  • Article. “Bees for Peace: New Interfaith Project Promotes Peace through Bee-related Activities.” By Kristen Parker. Christian Courier, Feb. 1, 2023 (https://www.christiancourier.ca/bees-for-peace/).
  • Interview. “Bees for Peace.” The Cookie Jar: Grass Roots Recipes for Change. Smithers Radio, CICK 93.9 FM, in British Columbia. Apr. 27, 2022 (www.smithersradio.com/program-playlist/cookie-jar-playlist-05022022).
  • Interview. “The Interreligious Week of Nature Conservation in Cologne and Region 2019” (in German). Domradio (radio program of the Archbishopric of Cologne). Sept. 9, 2019.
  • Interview. “The Interreligious Week of Nature Conservation in Cologne and Region 2018” (in German). Himmel und Erde (radio program of the Melanchthon Academy in Cologne). Dec. 17, 2017.
  • Radio discussion on Carl Jung. “Talking History” on Newstalk Radio in Ireland, Feb. 23, 2014.
  • Article. “Environmental Protection is a Religious Concern” about my seminar Religion and Ecology at the University of Marburg (in German). Oberhessische Presse. July 16, 2012. 
Religion and sustainability