Kelly Brown Douglas Joins Harvard Divinity School as Visiting Professor
The Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, PhD, has been named Visiting Professor of Theology at Harvard Divinity School for the 2024-25 academic year.
Douglas’s academic work has focused on womanist theology, racial justice issues, as well as sexuality and the Black church. Her current research interest involves expanding the moral imaginary in fostering a more just future.
"We are delighted to have Dr. Douglas joining our faculty ranks this academic year," said HDS Dean Marla F. Frederick. "She brings years of distinguished scholarship to HDS. Our community will be enriched by her work and insights, and our students will no doubt benefit greatly from her teaching and advising. I hope all will join me in welcoming Dr. Douglas to HDS.”
Ordained as an Episcopal Priest in 1983, Douglas currently serves as the Canon Theologian at the Washington National Cathedral and Anglican Communion Canon at Newcastle Cathedral in Newcastle, England.
From 2017 to 2023, she was Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology. She was named the Bill and Judith Moyers Chair in Theology at Union in November 2019, where she is now Dean Emeritus. She served as Interim President of Episcopal Divinity School from 2023-24. During the 2023 fall term, she served as Honorary Professor of Global Theology at Emmanuel Theological College in Liverpool, England.
Prior to Episcopal Divinity School, she served as Professor of Religion at Goucher College, where she held the Susan D. Morgan Professorship of Religion and is now Professor Emeritus. Before Goucher, she was Associate Professor of Theology at Howard University School of Divinity (1987-2001) and Assistant Professor of Religion at Edward Waters College (1986-87). Douglas holds a master’s degree in theology and a PhD in systematic theology from Union.
“I am excited to be a part of the Harvard Divinity School community this academic year,” said Douglas. “At this significant time in our nation’s history, I can think of no better place for reflecting upon the role of theology and religion in moving us toward a more just future. I am looking forward to learning with and being inspired by the students and faculty. I know that it will be an exciting year.”
Douglas was awarded the prestigious Grawemeyer Award in Religion in 2023 for her book Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter (Orbis Books, 2021). Her other books include Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God (Orbis Books, 2015), Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective (Orbis Books, 1998), and Black Christ (Orbis Books, 1993).
She has long been a friend of HDS. Earlier this year, Douglas offered the keynote address at the inaugural Religion and Public Life summit, titled, “Lead with Love: Just Peacebuilding and the Moral Imagination.”
She also visited the HDS campus to lecture and participate in a roundtable on her book Sexuality and the Black Church, held in celebration of its 25th anniversary. In 2018, Douglas delivered the Annual Greeley Lecture for Peace and Social Justice at HDS’s Center for the Study of World Religions.
While at HDS, Douglas will teach one course in the fall and one in the spring.
— HDS Office of Communications