Elizabeth Gish

Email: elizabeth.gish@wku.edu

 

Title

Assistant Professor of Honors interdisciplinary studies

My Role in the Honors College

I teach the course Citizen and Self - HON 251.

Educational Background

I got my undergraduate degree at Miami University of Ohio. I studied religion, political science and psychology. I got my Master of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School where I will also complete my doctoral work in religion in May 2012.

Professionally Published Work

I published a “Metalogue,” in Elisabeth’s Schussler Fiorenza’s book, “Democratizing Biblical Studies: Toward an Emancipatory Educational Space” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2009). I’ve published several pieces in “The Kettering Exchange” and I am the co-author of “Democracy 2.0: Revitalizing Public Life and Democratic Institutions for the 21st Century,” which is expected to be released in January 2013.

Hometown

Arcanum, Ohio

Hobbies and Interests

Vegetarian cooking and international travel are my hobbies. Interests include natural/holistic approaches to parenting and health, rescuing abused cats, faith-based community organizing and advocacy, and issues of justice around women, gender and sexuality. I am also interested in how communities can develop stronger resilience in the face of environmental and economic challenges.

What Brought me to the HC

As soon as I saw the job advertised, I knew it would be the perfect job for my areas of focus and interests. I have spent my entire adult life, and even some of my teenage years, wrestling with the issues of community and democracy. To be able to teach an interdisciplinary course in an Honors College built around these key questions was absolutely ideal for me. As an added bonus, Kentucky is where nearly all of my family members live and it was very exciting to be able to move back to a place we love so much.

A Little About Myself

I grew up on a little farm in Ohio. We spent much of our time off from school traveling to Kentucky to see our big extended families, so I am very close to all my aunts and uncles and cousins. After living in urban Massachusetts for a decade, my partner Wolfgang, our 2-year-old son Elijah, and our cats now live on a small farm. We are very happy to hear the crickets in the evening and live among the trees, fields, and little critters out in the country.