Faculty

Midcareer Faculty

Having worked hard to meet the expectations of their institutions and perhaps having been promoted and attained tenure, faculty members in the middle years of their careers face new challenges and opportunities. ATS convenes faculty in the middle stage of their careers at periodic roundtable seminars to discuss issues of common concern and explore next steps as they experience life after tenure and emerge into leadership positions in their institutions. The roundtable seminars for midcareer faculty discuss the changes in faculty roles and responsibilities in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service during this middle stage.

New Faculty

When faculty members begin their work at theological schools, they inevitably face large tasks and significant adjustments. There are new courses to be created, new colleagues and students to meet, and new dynamics and institutional culture to explore and understand. In addition to those general demands of higher education are the distinctive challenges and opportunities of teaching in a theological school. ATS convenes periodic seminars designed for faculty who have completed their first or second year at a member school. These seminars address the unique vocation—both individual and corporate—of theological educators. Academic deans reflect on what they have learned from working with faculty, and faculty members share their experiences of surviving and thriving as theological educators.

Media partnership seeks ATS scholarly writers

ATS is pleased to announce a program for faculty and scholars to write timely articles on current religion and/or theology issues alongside editors from The Conversation US to be posted in a variety of media venues via organizations such as the Associated Press and the Religion News Service. While not a competitive monetary program, the program will attend to faculty research and scholarship in terms of public relevancy. Learn more!

Webinars

ATS Webinar for Faculty—Publishing in a Variety of Academic Sectors
- Jon Boyd from IVP Academic, Richard Brown from Religion & Spirituality at Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Bridgett A. Green from Westminster John Knox Press, and Thomas Hermans-Webster from Orbis Books share information on their respective publishing houses and their current interests, practical steps, and how their presses have changed. The panel draws back the curtain on differences between presses in the denominational, commercial religion, and trade religion sectors.
ATS Webinar for Faculty—Resources on Religion to Spice Up Your Courses: A Primer on Using Free, High-Quality Data
- Roger Finke and Kayla Kem from the Association of Religion Data Archives share current data and resources on world religious beliefs, religious history, and religious and demographic contexts of US congregations.
Public Engagement: What's at Stake?
- Public theologians Eric D. Barreto, from Princeton Theological Seminary, and Leah Payne, from Portland Seminary, address important questions around why it is vital for ATS faculty to be engaged publicly today, tips on what such engagement might look like, and how they got started. Thirty minutes of panel conversation.
ATS Webinar for Faculty: Getting Your Scholarship in the Public Square
- Touting the tagline “Academic rigor, journalistic flair,” The Conversation pairs scholars in the academy with experienced journalists to provide the public with accessible information on important societal and global topics. Forty minutes of presentation, followed by questions and answers. Viewer feedback: “Clear, direct, specific, actionable!”
ATS Webinar for Faculty: Field Education and the Impact of COVID-19
- Barbara Blodgett from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi from Iliff School of Theology, and James Barber from Oral Roberts University Graduate School of Theology and Missions, address important principles and practices for offering field education in an online environment. Forty minutes of presentation, followed by questions and answers.
ATS Webinar for Faculty: Dancing with Wolves—Responding to Peer Review
- Julia Kostova, executive editor at Wiley's Research division, and Patrick Alexander, director of the Pennsylvania State University Press, return to present principles and practices of responding to and offering good peer review. A half hour of prepared presentation, followed by questions and answers.
ATS Webinar for Faculty: You're Not in Kansas Anymore—Identifying and Approaching a Publisher
- Patrick Alexander, director of Pennsylvania State University Press, and Julia Kostova, executive editor at Wiley’s Research division, return to provide a “map” of the world of religious publishing and strategies for identifying the right publisher for your career goals. Thirty minutes of presentation, followed by responses to key questions.
ATS Webinar for Faculty: My Doctoral Program Didn’t Prepare Me for This! Formation
- Edwin Aponte, executive director of the Louisville Institute, and Ann Garrido, associate professor of homiletics and a spiritual formation director at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St Louis, unpack the complexities of formation, sharing a holistic framework for use in institutional conversations and raising high-level questions on several “sticky wickets." Forty minutes of presentation, followed by questions and answers.
ATS Webinar for Faculty: Tips of the Trade—Self-Promotion for Humble Scholars
- Julia Kostova, executive editor at Wiley's Research division, and Patrick Alexander, director of the Pennsylvania State University Press, present helpful reasons and strategies for self-promotion. The recording includes 20 minutes of presentation and a half hour of important questions and responses.
ATS Webinar for New Faculty—Online Learning: Good News for New Faculty
- Brooke Lester, director of digital learning and assistant professor of Hebrew Scriptures at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, describes important benefits of online engagement, particularly for new faculty. He incorporates creative suggestions for moving from in-person to online environments and addresses how formation can take place in a “content-specific” online course.
ATS Webinar for New Faculty—Dissertation to Book: The Seven Secret Secrets that Guarantee Publication
- Baylor University Press director, Carey Newman, returns to share how to approach turning your dissertation material into your (first) book. He names hard and realistic expectations initially, but stay with the presentation for true, hopeful nuggets in the latter half!
ATS Webinar for New Faculty—What They Tell You and What They Don't: Conversations with the Dean on Promotion & Tenure
- Louisville Seminary professor and former dean, Susan R. Garrett, provides important perspectives on promotion and tenure, outlining critical principles and concrete steps toward success in what can often be a difficult journey of professional advancement. One webinar attendee said, "Another great webinar! Thank you!" Don't miss the four key steps highlighted in this presentation!
ATS Webinar for New Faculty—Publishing 101: What to Expect, What to Do
- Baylor University Press director, Carey Newman, explains the ins and outs of publishing and demystifies what may seem an obstacle-ridden process with his transparency. Feedback from a webinar attendee: "Well worth being late to my next conference! Glad I stuck around!" Relevant and timely questions addressed throughout, the presentation is something you'll want to return to multiple times!
ATS Webinar for New Faculty: Living a Life of the Mind Without Losing Your Mind—Establishing a Research Agenda
- Popular presenter, Andrea C. White, Assistant Professor at Candler School of Theology of Emory University, provides fresh perspectives on establishing your research agenda. White offers a balanced approach to scholarship and emphasizes the need for community and the integration of research and teaching. Watch the webinar for specific strategies on how!

Fellowships

Henry Luce III Fellowships

Monica Laughery

412-788-6505, ext. 224

laughery@ats.edu

Monica Laughery joined ATS in October 2019, and she serves as program coordinator for initiatives, research, and faculty development. She is responsible for managing the program activities associated with conferences and events for faculty and administrators. In addition, she helps to administer research and educational initiatives for the programs and services department.

Prior to ATS, Laughery was the office manager at Union Church of Robinson Township in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.