PhD Project and Research Interests
My research interests broadly include the role of art, aesthetics, and materiality in the experience and presentation of religion and spirituality in both historical and modern contexts, often in connection to identity formation. My PhD project is interdisciplinary and features a selection of synagogue case-studies from the Jewish diaspora in Late Antiquity. Using an adapted version of Berger and Luckmann’s concept of the Symbolic Universe (1966), I comparatively investigate identity formation and interreligious and intercultural influences between Jews, Christians, and Graeco-Romans through the study of material space and architectural decoration in dialogue with written records. In addition to my PhD project, I research and write on the display and contextualization of religion in contemporary museums and the interplay of the “religious” and “secular” in the museum space.
Other Projects
NLA University College: Alongside my PhD project I hold a 10% position as Lecturer in Religious Studies at NLA University College, where I am the coordinator of a year-long digital program in Christianity, Religion, and Ethics (KRLE) and co-teach other courses, such as REL115.
Rethinking the Secular: Since 2023 I am a member of the international research group Rethinking the Secular: Critical Perspectives on Religion, Education and Culture.
Slow Art Day: I am a core team member of the global art movement Slow Art Day, for which I co-write an Annual Report with resources for museum educators. Slow Art Day events are organized by over 150 museums and galleries each April, and encourage people to slow down and connect with each-other and local museums through art.
Education
- 2024 – Doctoral Research Fellow. University of Oslo, Norway
- 2017– 2019: MA in The Religious Roots of Europe (Comparative History of Religion). Lund University, Sweden
- 2013 – 2017: Scottish MA in Art History and Modern History (Joint Honours). University of St. Andrews, Scotland
- 2007 – 2013: Aberdeen Grammar School, Aberdeen, Scotland
- 2002 – 2007: Vasaskolan, Gothenburg, Sweden
Teaching Experience
- 2021-01 – :NLA University College, Norway. Lecturer in Religious Studies (Høgskolelektor i Religionsvitenskap)
- 2020-10 - 2021-05: Escola Jaume I, Spain. English Language Assistant