___________________________________________________________________________________
Professor, Religious Studies
J. Woolard and Helen Peel Distinguished Chair and Director, Religious Studies Program
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 737-2422 wangilam@ecu.edu
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
___________________________________________________________________________________
2015- Present
2013- Present
2008-2013 2007-2008
2005-2006 2005-2005
2003-2004
2001-2004
2002-2003 1992-1998
Associate Professor, Peel Distinguished Chair and Director of Religious Studies Program, East Carolina University
Associate Professor, Peel Distinguished Chair and Director of Religious Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville N.C.,
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville N.C.,
Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia M.O., Department of Religious Studies
Lecturer, Iowa State University, Ames, I.A., Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies NewYorkTheologicalSeminary,NewYork,N.Y.,AdjunctFaculty/ResearchAssistantand instructor Ecologies of Learning Project; Research in urban religious practices
Teaching Assistant, Drew University, Madison, N.J., Department of Religion and Society Co-taught in the Theological School, with Dr. Otto Maduro and Dr. Laurel Kearns, to the Masters’ of Divinity students
Intern: In the Dean’s office, where I helped research and draft a proposal for developing a leadership institute at Drew Theological School.
Adjunct Faculty, Montclair State University, Montclair, N. J., Department of Philosophy and Religion
Adjunct faculty, Bloomfield College, New Jersey
Lecturer, Moi University, Kenya, Department of Religion
Service: Interim Chair, the Department of Religious Studies
Instructor, Aldai Girls High School, Kapsabet, Kenya
EDUCATION
___________________________________________________________________________________ Ph.D. Sociology of Religion, Drew University, 2004
M. Phil. Sociology of Religion, Drew University, 2002
M.TH. Theology, Emory University, 1999
M. Phil. Religion, Moi University, 1992
B. Ed. Education, Kenyatta University, 1988
1988-1991
1962 – present Anglican Church of Kenya
HONORS, AWARDS, GRANTS, AND FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED
______________________________________________________________________
• Research grant from East Carolina University to contact research on “The Health Implications of Rites of Passage on Africans in the Diaspora.” 2019, grant.
• A grant from Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) Curriculum Development to revise and construct RELI 3590 Religion and Gender syllabus towards incorporating interfaith engagement skills in the course instruction, 2019, grant.
• University Scholar Award, 2017, award.
• Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) Curriculum Development Grant for “Interfaith Understanding,” 2017, grant.
• BB&T Faculty Leadership Fellows Program: Developing Student Leadership Capacity 2017 Project, grant.
• BB&T Active Learning and Leadership 2016 grant.
• “Religious Studies proposal for Operating Funds,” 2016/2017, grant.
• Operating grant – Religious Studies Program, 2016, grant application
• American Academy of Religion 2014 Study Grant, “The Long-Term Impacts of Liberal Education on Religious Studies Majors,” at East Carolina University, grant application
• Named the first East Carolina University J. Woolard and Helen Peel Distinguished Professor in Religious Studies, East Carolina University, 2008
• Fulbright Junior Scholars Fellowship 1999-2000, Emory University, Candler School of Theology and Drew University.
• Association of African Women in Research and Development (AAWORD) 1995-1996, Research Grant, “The Profile on Women as Political Leaders in Kenya.”
• Organization of Social Sciences Research for Eastern Africa (OSSREA) 1993 Research Grant, “Some Constraints to Democratization Process in Kenya.”
COURSES TAUGHT ___________________________________________________________________________________
• Theory and Methods in Religious Studies
• Social Theory and Analysis
• Religion and the Social Process
• Introduction to Religious Studies
• W orld Religions
• Classical Islam
• Religion and Sexuality
• African Religions
• Life and Teachings of Jesus and Prophet Muhammad
• Contemporary Christian Thought • W omen and Religion
• Indigenous Religions
• Native American Religions
• Christian Religious Education • Religion and Society
• Swahili
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PUBLICA TIONS Books
Female Genital Cutting in Industrialized Countries: Mutilation or Cultural Tradition? ABC Clio Praeger, 2014, ISBN 978- 1440833465
Female Circumcision: The Interplay between Religion, Gender, and Culture in Kenya, Orbis Books, 2007.ISBN 978- 15707571105
Edited Volume
• Religion in Gender-Based Violence, Immigration, and Human Rights, Routledge, 2019 (co-edited with Dr. Jacob Olupona) ISBN 978-1138596986
• World Religions in the Global Society, Cognella, 2020, (Edited volume) ISBN 2370000801944 Journal Articles
• “Religion, Gender, and Politics in Kenya: Challenges of Female Leadership in the 21st Century,” Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 4(2) 16-32, 2020
• “Reclaiming Religion, Religious Studies and the Humanities in the Academy and National Development” at American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2019
• “Religion, Human Rights, and the African Widow,” Peace Human Rights Governance 1:3, November 2017, 365- 391.
• “Intersectionality, Education, and Advocacy against Sexual Violence.” Journal of Feminist Studies of Religion, 2017, 33:1, 180-182
• “Negotiating Cultural Rights to Affirm Human Rights: Challenges Women Face in the 21st Century.” Journal of Religion and Violence Vol. 4(1), 2016, 39-57.
• “What Should Industrialized Countries do to protect the Rights of Immigrant Women? Governments Should Extend Basic Human Rights to Migrant Women and Their Families regardless of Legal Status,” Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society, ABC-CLIO, 2. http://issues2.abc-clio.com/.
• “Negotiating Agency and Human Rights in Islam: A Case of Muslim Women in Kenya.” Contemporary Islamic Studies, Vol. 1, February 2012, 1-15.
• “Christianity and Social Justice for the Kenyan Woman: A Hermeneutical Reflexive Enterprise.” Theologies and Cultures: Theolo gy Out of the Context, V ol. 8, (2), December 2011, 60 -87.
• "At the Crossroads of Gender, Religion, and Academia: Challenges of Black Women." JENdA: A Journal of Culture and African Women Studies, Issue 19, December 2011, 44-58.
• “Religion, the African Concept of the Individual and Human Rights Discourse: An Analysis,” Journal of Human Rights, Vol. 9 (3), 2010, 326-343.
• “Contextualizing Theology and Gender Reconstruction in Kenya,” Theologies and Cultures: Theology Out of the Context, Vol. V1, (2), December 2009, 110 -133.
• “Beyond Facts to Realities: Confronting Realities of Women in ‘Female Circumcision’ Communities,” Journal of Human Rights, Vol. 6, (4), 2007, 393-413.
• “Christ’s Salvific Message and the Nandi Ritual of Female Circumcision,” Theological Studies, Vol. 63, (3), September 2002, 579-600.
• “Transformations of Care for the Aged among Africans: A Study of the Kenyan Situation,” Aging and Mental Health, Vol. 2, (3), August 1998, 181-185, also published as proceedings in Gerontechnology: A Sustainable
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Investment in the Future, Technology Informatics 48, eds. J Graafans, V. Taipala, and N. Charness, IOS Press, 1998, 450-455.
• “The Role of Traditional Doctors in Modern Health Sciences,” African Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. 2. (2), 1995. Book Chapters
• Religion, Gender-based Violence, and the Rights of the Girl Child in Kenya” Religion in Gender-Based Violence, Immigration, and Human Rights, Routledge, 2019, 121-138
• “Immigration and Gender-Based Violence in the West,” Religion in Gender-Based Violence, Immigration and Human Rights, Routledge, 2019, 230-247
• “Clerics and Community -based Organizations as agents of Social Change” Religion in Gender-Based Violence, Immigration and Human Rights, Routledge, 2019, 266-279
• “Battling a ‘War within a War’: Challenges of Being Female in Africa,” Female Child Soldiering, Gender Violence, and Feminist Theologies, edited by Susan Willhauck, Palgrave, 2019, 124-144.
▪ “Religion After the Medical Miracle: Recovering ‘Disability’ as Religious Analytic of Social Suffering,” Disability in the Global South: The Critical Handbook , co-authored with Sharon V . Betcher , Springer Interna tional Publishing, Switzerland, 2016, 117-132
• “African Traditional Religions,” Understanding the Religions of the World, Pearson, 2015
• “Is Cultural Diversity Endangering Women’s Rights?” Politics, Governance, and Development in Africa: Retrospection in Fifty Years of Self Rule, edited by Maurice Amutabi, Nairobi: Research, The Catholic University of East Africa, 2013, 37-52.
• “Western Ideology and the Sexuality of the African Woman: Engaging Dualistic Thinking in Attitudes to African Women’s Sexuality,” Women, Gender and Sexualities in Africa, edited by Toyin Falola and Nana Akua Amposa, Carolina Academic Press, 2012, 101-120.
• “Female Circumcision in a World Perspective,” World History Encyclopedia, eds. Alfred J. Andrea, Kevin McGeough, William E Mierse and Fred Nadis, ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, 2011.
• “Foreword,” Beyond Women’s Emancipation in Africa, Elinami Swai, Palgrave Macmillan, 2010, ix-xi.
• “Religion and the Rights of African Women in the Age of HIV/AIDS: Illustrations from Kenya,” Strong Women, Dangerous Times: Gender and HIV/AIDS in Africa, edited by Ezekiel Kalipeni, & Cynthia Pope, Nova Science Publishers, 2009, 237-252.
• “African Women in Traditional Religions: Illustrations from Kenya,” Women and Religion: New and Afro-Religions, edited by Lillian Ashcraft-Eason, Darnise C. Martin, Oyeronke Olademo, Santa Barbara, California, Praeger, 2009, 301-322.
• “Religion, Women and Economic Growth in Kenya,” Studies in the Economic History of Kenya: Land, Water, Railways, Education and Entrepreneurship, edited by Maurice Nyamanga Amutabi, Edwin Mellen Press, 2009, 195- 224.
• “Women and Democracy in Kenya,” Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Democracy, edited by Ogot Bethwell, Kisumu: Maseno University College, 1997, 157-166.
Forthcoming
Book chapters
• “Religions and Development in Kenya,” Encyclopedia of African Studies, African Religions,’ subject editor, under review, contract with Routledge
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• “Disability in Africa: A Cultural/Religious Perspective,” Disability in Africa: Inclusion, Care, and the Ethics of Ubuntu, edited by Toyin Falola and Nic Hamel, University of Rochester Press / Boydell& Brewer Inc., https://www.amazon.com/Disability-Africa-Inclusion-Humanity-Rochester/dp/158046971X (Invited, in print)
Book Reviews
• Holding the World Together: African Women in Changing Perspectives, edited by Nwando Achebe and Claire Robertson, Madison WI University of Wisconsin Press, 2019, invited book review.
• African Feminist Hermeneutics: An Evangelical Reflection, by Rachel NyaGondwe Fiedler, Johannes W. Hofmeyr, Klaus Fiedler, Mzuni Press, in Journal of African Religions, 2018.
• “Evil in Africa: Encounters with the Every day,” Book Review, Reading Religion (American Academy of Religion) August 2016.
• “Because of Honor,” by Maurice Amutabi, Kenya Studies Review: a Journal of Scholars and Studies Association, December 2009, 157-159.
• “The Vitality of Karamojong Religion: Dying Tradition or Living Faith?” by Ben Knighton, in Africa Today, Vol. 53. No. 2, 2006, 124-125.
Forthcoming
• Queering Black Atlantic Religions: Transcorporeality in Candomble, Santeria, and Vodou Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2019, by Roberto Strongman, invited and forthcoming Hypatia:
Other Publications
• Engaging Norms that Undermine Gender and Human Rights in Kenya” Awaaz Voices, Vol. 15, Issue 1, www.awaazmagazine.com, 2018
• “Ending Female Genital Cutting: Is political correctness getting in the way?” Sightings, January 15, 2015, https://divinity.uchicago.edu/sightings/ending-female-genital-cutting-political-correctness-getting-way-mary- nyangweso
• Unpublished Reports
• “ The Influence of Indigenous Religions on Christianity in Kenya, ” M. A Thesis, Moi University , Eldoret
Kenya
• The African W oman’ s Perspective on Female Circumcision, ” MPhil. Thesis, Drew University
• “Long-Term Impacts of the Religious Studies Program on East Carolina University Undergraduates” a report for the American Academy of Religion, 2016
INVITED LECTURES___________________________
•
• “African Spirituality in Modern Society,” a presentation at Colgate Rochester Divinity College, January 8, 2020
• “Ethics, Morality and Social Behavior,” a presentation at Monmouth University, May 2018
• “Negotiating Values in the 21st Century: Challenges of an African Woman” presented at Houston University, Texas, April 16, 2018
           “Circumcisions as Inscriptions of Gender: Implications of FGM Eradication or Sustenance.”
At the King's
Virtual Symposium Patriarchal Inscriptions Symposium, United Kingdom held on November 28, 2020
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• “Sanctioned incivility in Africa: An Examination of the Central Mission of the Church in Confronting Discriminative Acts,” invited presentation at Harvard University, April 2019.
• “Religion, Culture, and Gender: African Women’s Challenges in the 21st Century,” presentation at the “Religious Literacy: Teaching on Religions of Africa and the Middle East” 2018 Summer Institute for Educators MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, held at Yale University on July 9-13, 2018.
• “Religions, Cultural Practices, and the African Diaspora,” 2016 Frederick A. Shippey Lecture on Decolonizing the Study of Religion: Future Directions from the Work of Karen McCarthy Brown, Drew University, Madison New Jersey, April 12, 2016
• “Female Genital Cutting: Human and Cultural Rights,” invited lecture, University of Central Missouri, Kansas Missouri, March 17, 2016.
• “Religion, Gender, and Sexuality in East Africa” invited lecture, Harvard University, November 14, 2013.
• “Christianity and HIV in Kenya,” (invited paper), at a Symposium on “New Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa, organized by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the U.S. Department of State and the National Intelligence Council, and held at the Army – Navy Club , Washington DC on April 5, 2013.
• “Female Genital Cutting: Human and Cultural Rights,” invited lecture, Northern Arizona University, Arizona, March 30, 2012.
• “Implications of a Religious Leader on Society,” invited lecture presented to the Chancellor’s Student Leadership Academy, February 11, 2013.
• “Gender and Ethnicity in Medical Family Therapy,” invited presentation to Ph.D. students, East Carolina University Medical School, on October 23, 2014.
• “Gender and Ethnicity in Medical Family Therapy,” invited presentation to Ph.D. students, East Carolina University Medical School, on October 31, 2012.
• “Religion and Female Circumcision in Kenya,” invited lecture, Grinnell College, IA, April 13, 2006. Forthcoming
• “Circumcision as Inscriptions of Gender: Implications of FGM Eradication or Sustenance,” Kings Virtual Symposium Patriarchal Inscriptions” to be held Saturday, November 28, 2020
• Teaching African Religions Effectively” African American of Religion, to be held November, 2020. (program pending)
CONFERENCE, SYMPOSIA, ORGANIZED
• 2018, - Co-convener of a conference titled, “Religion and Public Health: Bridges for Collaboration” Conference, East Carolina University, April 5-7, 2018.
• 2013 – Convener of “Religion, Immigration, Health, and Human Rights: Challenges and the Way Forward.” September 27-29, 2013
• 2019 – Lead the hosting of the Southeastern Regional Meeting on Religion (SECSOR) titled “Rapid Religious
 Cultural Change:
March 8-10, 2019
these changes have?”
Why do religious beliefs at times change very quickly and what kinds of societal impacts do
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FEATURE INTERVIEWS
• Feature Interview, “A discussion with Mary Nyangweso, Associate Professor in Religious Studies, East Carolina University,” Peace and World Affairs, ‘World Faiths Development Dialogue- Kenya,’ Berkley Center of Religion, Peace and W orld Affairs, W ashington DC, October 21, 2014. October 21, 2014. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion-with-mary-nyangweso-associate-professor-in- religious-studies-east-carolina-university
SOCIAL MEDIA ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT
• Researchgate.net profile Stats, 14,972 READS - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mary_Nyangweso
• Bepress -https://works.bepress.com/mary-nyangweso/
PROFESSIONAL TALKS, PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS
• “Social Determinants of Reproductive Health Outcomes in Kenya” a virtual Conference on Intercontinental Meet on Gender and Sexuality Studies to be held on September 5, 2020.
• “Circumcision as Inscriptions of Gender: Implications for FGM Eradication or Sustenance,” Kings Virtual Symposium Patriarchal Inscriptions” to be held Saturday, November 28, 2020, forthcoming.
• “The Pedagogy of Teaching African Religions Effectively” African American of Religion, to be held in November 2020. (program pending) forthcoming
• “Combating Sanctioned Incivility in Africa: The Case of Sexual Assault Conflict Zones” presentation at the International Women’s Day at ECU, March 12, 2019
• “When the Private is Public: Exploring the intersection between Religion, Sexuality and the Public Sphere in Africa and the African Diaspora” a presentation under the theme “Religion in the Public Square” at the Southeastern Conference on Religion (SECSOR) held on March 8-11, at East Carolina University
• “Rites of Passage as Loci of Public Health Discourses in Africa,” a presentation at the Southeastern Conference on Religion (SECSOR) held on March 8-11, at East Carolina University
• “Religion and the Public Sphere: The Case of Gender-Based Violence,” presentation at the “Religion and the Public Sphere in Africa and the African Diaspora Colloquium, held at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
• Presentation, “Religion, Gender and Reproductive Health Outcomes of Kenyan Women” Religion and Public Health Conference, East Carolina University, April 5-7, 2018.
• Facilitator, The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-Three Women Search, a Book club discussion March 28 and April 26, 2018, East Carolina University.
• Panelist, “Africa: A Factual Contest of Presidential Profanity?” An African and African American Studies Forum, held February 28, 2018, at ECU
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• •
• “Religion, Humanities and Public Health” co-presented with Mansi Trivedi, (a graduate student at Brody School) at the 2017 National Humanities Conference held in Boston, Massachusetts, November 2-5, 2017.
• Presiding over a session titled “Religious Representations and Imaginations in Contemporary African Arts” and as co-chair of African Religions group, I co-chaired a business meeting for the African Religions Group, at the American Academy of Religion held in Boston, November 18-22, 2017
• Facilitated over the discussion of “Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation” as part of the North Carolina Humanities Council on Muslim Journeys: American Stories Series, held at Western Carteret Public Library at Cape Carteret in North Carolina on October 10, 2017.
• Facilitated over the discussion of “The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman’s Journey to Love and Islam” as part of the North Carolina Humanities Council on Muslim Journeys: American Stories Series, held at Western Carteret Public Library at Cape Carteret in North Carolina on November 7, 2017.
• Presided over a session titled “Education, Religion and Urban Development” at the African Interdisciplinary Studies Association (AISA) held at the Multimedia University of Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya on June 27-30, 2017.
• “Female Genital Mutilation: A Culturally Sensitive Approach to Caring for Women who have Undergone this Practice” at Brody School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, June 8, 2017
• Facilitate book club discussion of The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew – Three Women Search for Understanding, East Carolina University
• “Religion, Humanities and Public Health” co-presented with Mansi Trivedi, (a graduate student at Brody School) at the 2017 National Humanities Conference held in Boston, Massachusetts, November 2-5, 2017.
• Presiding over a session titled “Religious Representations and Imaginations in Contemporary African Arts” and as co-chair of African Religions group, I co-chaired a business meeting for the African Religions Group, at the American Academy of Religion held in Boston, November 18-22, 2017
Trivedi, M, Nyangweso, M, Sutton, JM. “Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Clinical Implications for
Women’s Health.” Poster presented at 2018 CREOG APGO Annual Meeting, “Anchors Away – Navigating
your Course in Medical Education” February 28-March 3, National Harbor, Maryland.
 Panelist, Film screening of “God Loves Uganda,” co-sponsored by Religious Studies and Ethnic Studies, held on
November 14, 2017.
 • “Religion, Deconstruction and Effective Leadership: A Model for Preventing Gender-Based Violence and Promoting Social Justice,” paper presented at the African Interdisciplinary Studies Association (AISA) held at the Multimedia University of Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya on June 27-30, 2017.
• “Religion, Deconstruction and Effective Leadership: A Model for Preventing Gender-Based Violence and Promoting Social Justice,” paper presented at the African Interdisciplinary Studies Association (AISA) held at the Multimedia University of Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya on June 27-30, 2017.
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• Presided over a session titled “Education, Religion and Urban Development” at the African Interdisciplinary Studies Association (AISA) held at the Multimedia University of Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya on June 27-30, 2017.
• Facilitated over the discussion of “Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation” as part of the North Carolina Humanities Council on Muslim Journeys: American Stories Series, held at Western Carteret Public Library at Cape Carteret in North Carolina on October 10, 2017.
• Facilitated over the discussion of “The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman’s Journey to Love and Islam” as part of the North Carolina Humanities Council on Muslim Journeys: American Stories Series, held at Western Carteret Public Library at Cape Carteret in North Carolina on November 7, 2017.
• "Migration through Migrants' Eyes" a film screening session of Docudrama, The Land Between (2014, France, Australia, Morocco, Spain), Moderator of a documentary on desperate Sub-Saharan African migrants, Symposium on [IN]Voluntary Migration Around the Globe, Greenville NC, North Carolina.
• “Female Genital Mutilation: A Culturally Sensitive Approach to Caring for Women who have Undergone this Practice” at Brody School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, June 8, 2017
• Presider, “African Responses to Violence in the Realms of Gender and Sexuality: Action, Ethics, Popular Art, and American Academy of Religion, YEAR, San Antonio, Texas.
• “Working to Protect Women's Rights in the 21st Century," Parliament of the World's Religions: Women's Program Initiative, Month 2015, Salt Lake City, Utah.
• “Women’s Rights in the 21st Century” Parliament of the World's Religions Conference, served as a panelist on the Women's Program Initiative, 2015Salt Lake City, Utah.
• “Challenges of Teaching and Researching Religions of Africa” American Academy of Religion, Baltimore Maryland, November 2013.
• “Religion, Gender and Policy Development: The Case of Domestic Violence,” Religion, Immigration, Health and Human Rights, in? Greenville, East Carolina University, September 2013.
• “Clerics, Ministers, and Imams: Leaders as agents of Social Deconstruction,” International Society of Sociology of Religion, Turku, Finland, June 2013.
• “Ritualized Homosexuality in Indigenous Communities,” American Academy of Religion/ Society of Biblical Literature, Southeast Regional Conference, March 2013
• “Is Cultural Diversity Endangering Women’s Rights?” Africa’s Golden Jubilee: Assessing Fifty Years of Scholarship and Development in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, June 26-30, 2012.
• “Religion and Female Genital Cutting in the United States,” American Academy of Religion /Society of Biblical Literature (AAR/SBL) Southeast regional conference, Atlanta, Georgia, March 2-4, 2012.
 Religion.”
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• “Implication of Cultural Diversity Discourse on Women’s Rights: The Case Female Genital Cutting,” International Scholars Symposium, East Carolina University, April 6, 2011.
• “African Screams in the Americas: Strategizing against Harmful Cultural Practices,” Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation, Seattle WA, March, February 4-7, 2011.
• “Contesting Conceptions of Indigenous religions as Primitive” Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation, Seattle WA, March 20-22, 2009.
• “Negotiating Agency, Culture, and Religion: A Case of Muslim Women in Kenya,” American Academy of Religion, Chicago, Illinois, 2008.
• “The Vitality of African Religions in Africa/ African Diaspora: Points of Contact,” American Academy of Religion, Chicago, Illinois, 2008.
• “Female Circumcision: The Interplay between Religion, Gender, and Culture in Kenya,” First Annual Fall Conference on Research on Sexuality, Women, and Gender, University of Missouri Columbia, October 20, 2007.
• “Religion and the Rights of African Women in the Age of HIV/AIDS: Illustrations from Kenya,” “Women and HIV/AIDS in Africa,” University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign, September 14-15, 2007.
• “Religion, the African Concept of the Individual and Human Rights Discourse,” American Academy of Religion, Washington, D.C., 2006.
• “Christianity, Feminism, and the Status of African Women: The Case of Kenya,” American Society of Church History, Harrisburg, P.A., April 1-3, 2004.
• “Religion and the Participation of Women in Politics: Illustrations from Kenya,” American Academy of Religion, New Brunswick, N.J., 2003.
• “Civic Education and Human Rights Awareness in Kenya,” the 6th Regional Conference on American Studies, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya, July 1997.
• “Transformations of the Care of the Aged in Africa,” the Second International Conference on “Gerontechnology: A Sustainable Investment in our Future,” Helsinki, Finland, October 1996.
• “The Role of Men in Women’s Emancipation Process in Africa,” “Dreams and Realities,” Rovaniemi, Finland, July 1996.
• “Some Social Conditions Retarding Development in Africa: A Case of Kenya,” 27th International Conference on Social Welfare (ICSW), International Conference on Social Transition: Development in a Political, Economic and Social Context,” Hong Kong, July 29-August 3, 1996.
• “Some Constraints to Democratization Process in Kenya,” “The Post-Cold War Developments: The US and Africa,” Jinja, Uganda July 1995.
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• “Women and Democracy in Kenya,” Ethnicity, Nationalism and Democracy, Kericho, Kenya, May 1995.
• “Constraints to Women’s Participation in National Development: The Kenyan Case,” International Year of the
Family, Montreal, Canada, October 1994.
• “Population Growth in Africa and Environmental Crisis,” the 26th International Council for Social Welfare titled Global Welfare, Tampere, Finland, July 1994.
• “The Role of Traditional Doctors in Modern Health Services,” the 15th Health Sciences Congress, Nairobi, Kenya, February 1994.
• “Human Rights and Democracy: The Role of The United States in Africa,” The United States and Africa: Relations from Independence to the end of the Cold War,” Thika, Kenya, July 1993.
• “The Liberating Role of the Church in Kenyan Politics,” Mau Mau: Forty Years Later, Kisumu, Kenya, 1992.
PUBLIC TALKS
 ___________________________________________________________________________________
• “Zar: Indigenous African Religion Empowers Women?” led Nile Project panel, East Carolina University, 2017
• “Interfaith Dialogue in a Global World” presentation at? facilitator, Symposium on Social Justice organized by She’s
the First, Non-Profit organization symposium, East Carolina University, March 19, 2017.
• “Migration through Migrants’ Eyes” moderator and facilitator, film screening session of Docudrama, The Land Between (2014, France, Australia, Morocco, Spain), a documentary on desperate Sub-Saharan African migrants, Symposium on [IN]Voluntary Migration Around the Globe: the Good, the Bad and the Unknown,” by ECU’s Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, East Carolina University, February, 20 – 23.
• "Islam and Violence" lecture, New Bern Church, February 29, 2017
• "Islam and Diversity" lecture, New Bern Church, February 19, 2017
• "Religious Diversity in North Carolina" to Department of Educational leadership Principal Preparation, Wayne Community College, January 17, 2017
• "Religion, Female Genital Cutting and Women's Health in Africa" in a class on Medical Family Therapy, 2016.
• “Rites of Passage and Girl Education” at the 2nd Annual Day of the Girl Summit: Factors Affecting Girls’ Access to Education, organized by She’s the First, Non-profit organization held at East Carolina University, October 22, 2016.
• “Sword Verses” Guest lecture in Dr. Maher’s class, “Religion and Violence, October 21, 2016
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• "Islam: Beliefs and Stereotypes" Guest lecture, Dr. Priti's diversity class, East Carolina University, October 20, 2016
• Panelist, International Women's Day celebrations, East Carolina University, October 2016.
• Panelist, at the film screening of DRIFT on Girls’ education in Africa, organized by a non-profit organization,
“She is the First,” 2016
• Lecture presentation on "Female Genital Cutting and Human Rights" to African Students Organization (ASO), 2016.
• Panelist film screening of the “Unmosqued,” East Carolina University, February 11, 2016.
• Panelist on “Intersecting Identities: Race and Sexual Orientation Committee” East Carolina University
• Led the Series featuring “Safe Sex” and “God Loves Uganda” Religious Studies film screening, November 3, 2014
• Screened and served as a panelist for the film, “God Loves Uganda,” November 3, 2014, see above line
• Feature Interview, “World Faiths Development Dialogue- Kenya,” Berkley Center of Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Washington DC, October 21, 2014. http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion- with-mary-nyangweso-associate-professor-in-religious-studies-east-carolina-university
• Consultant, “World Faiths Development Dialogue – Kenya,” Berkley Center of Religion, Peace and World Affairs, in Washington DC, October 21-22, 2014.
• “Gender and Ethnicity in Medical Family Therapy,” invited presentation to Ph.D. students, East Carolina University Medical School, on October 23, 2014.
• “For Such a Time as This,” Participant at the Interfaith Service in honor of World AIDS Day held at the First Christian Church, Greenville, North Carolina, November 3, 2012.
• “Religion and Women,” St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kinston, North Carolina, October 21, 2012.
• “World Religions and Public Issues,” St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kinston, North Carolina, on October 28,
2012.
• “Indigenous Ethics on Ecology: Lessons for the Church,” St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Greenville, North Carolina, 2011.
• “Islam and Politics,” invited lecture presented to a “Global Classroom,” East Carolina University, 2011.
• “Women and Religion,” St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Greenville, North Carolina, February 8, 2012.
• “Varieties of Religious Extremism,” Religious Studies Program Panel Discussion, “Downtown Dialogues on the
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Humanities,” Greenville Museum of Art, December 6, 2011.
• “Health and Healing: Lessons from Indigenous Religions?” St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Greenville North Carolina, October 13, 2011.
• “Indigenous Religions: Any Lessons?” St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Greenville N C, October 9, 2011.
• “Understanding Religious Diversity,” panelist, South Central High School, Winterville, NC, May 20, 2011.
• “Indigenous Religions and Nature,” panelist, “The Sacred and Nature” at the Interfaith Alliance of Eastern NC, April 26, 2010.
• “Why Humanities Matter to Scientists: Illustrations from Research in Female Circumcision and HIV/AIDS,” East Carolina University “Downtown Dialogues on the Humanities” panel discussion of “The Humanities in the Modern United States: Building Bridges from Research to Real Life,” March 24, 2009.
• “Rape and Kenyan Women,” panelist at the International Forum, Iowa State University, IA November 8, 2005.
• “Women and Aids in Africa,” United Methodist Church in Madison, WI 2003.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
• Thesis and Dissertation Supervision or Committee
• External Reviewer, candidate for tenure, University of San Francisco, California.
Graduate
• Gatwiri, Joy Glory., Ph.D. Diss., “African Womanhood, Health, Sexuality, and Incontinent Bodies: A Case of Kenyan Women Living with Vaginal Fistulas,” Flinders University, South Australia, Australia, 2016/17.
• “American Born Imams: Responsibilities and Expectations as Reformers,” a Master’s Thesis Supervision, by Anas Askar, 2016/2017
• William G. Lewis, “A History of the Lake Chapel at Somerset Place Plantation,” a Master’s Thesis Supervision, Lewis, East Carolina University, 2015/2016
• Purity Kimaiyo, “Participatory Media to promote Communicative Openness on Reproductive Health Issues in Rural Kenya,” a Master’s Thesis Supervision, East Carolina University, 2014/2015.
• Chelsea Cullen, Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim in the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation: A Book Review project
• Joseph Perez, “Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim in the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation” A Book Review project
• Edward Oswago, “The Practice of Widow Inheritance and HIV/AIDS among the Luo of Kenya,” a Master’s Thesis Supervision, at Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya, 1997-1998
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Winiko P. Luwanika, ThD Student, “Malawi Population: A Challenge for Catholic Social Thought and Christian Socio-ecological Ethics,” Dissertation Supervisor, Boston University 2011- 2013
Undergraduate
Calvin Bradley, Directed Study Project: title, “Afro Caribbean Religions” as part of RELI 3694 Religions of Africa Project (2015/2016)
Hannah Porter, “Challenges, Negotiations, and Feminism in the Tijaniyya Order in Senegal and Nigeria” an Honors Thesis Supervision, East Carolina University, 2014/2015
Jesse Miller, “The Contextualization of Islam in Africa,” Directed Study Research Project, as part of RELI 3694 Religions of Africa Project title (2015/2016.
Mansi Trivedi Directed Study Project: Project title, “Religion and Health: The Case of Ayurveda.” As part of RELI 3694: African Religions (2014/2015)
Tyler Beasley, Directed study: Project Title, “Religion and Health in Indigenous Communities.” As part of RELI 3694 African Religions, (2014/2015).
Anthony Beall, Directed Study project: Project title, “Religion and the World view or the Maasai of Kenya”, as part of RELI 3694 African Religions (2016/2017)
Kate Chandler, Directed Study Thesis project: Project title: “A Holy Partnership: A Historical Analysis of the Mughal Empire’s Effect on Hindu India,” as part of RELI 2691 Classical Islam, (2017/2018)
COMMITTEES
East Carolina University – Committees and Advising
2014-present, Director, Religious Studies Program and program representative on the Multidisciplinary Studies
Committee
2016-2020, Undergraduate Council Committee – Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
2009-2020, member African and African American Studies (AAAS) Executive Committee- (THCAS)
2016-2020, member Undergraduate Council Curriculum Committee (THCAS)
2011-2012 – members, East Carolina University Quality Enhancement Plan Steering Committee, member, 2011 - present.
2011- 2014, member, East Carolina Admission and Retention Policies Committee, Members 2011-2014. 2010-2016, advisor African Students Organization (ASO) Club advisor, Advisor - present.
2009-2016, Committee member for Batterers’ Intervention in Eastern North Carolina, Member, 2009 - present. 2009-present AAAS Executive Committee
2009 – 2010, Middle Eastern Studies Committee, Member, 2010- present.
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
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• 2009-present - Personnel Committee, Member.
• 2008-present -Religious Studies Committee, Member.
• 2009-present- Religious Studies Curriculum Committee, Member.
• 2008-present Religious Studies Curriculum Development, Member.
• 2009 - present Co-director, Jarvis Lecture on Christianity and Culture.
• 2009 - present Coordinator, Religious Studies course advertisement flyers
• 2009 - present Religious studies coordinator, University Open House.
• 2009 - 2013 Religious Studies Club, advisor
• 2009 - 2013Religious Studies served as Library Liason
Consultancy, Editorial & Book Proposals, Journal Reviewer
• 2019-present Journal of Education.
• 2019-present Journal of Feminist Studies of Religion.
• 2018. Served as a New program evaluator of the New M. A and Ph.D. Degree in Global Africana Studies, UNC- Chapel Hill, Commissioned by Dean Bill Downs and Paul Gemperline to Dr. Sitawa Kimuna and Mary Nyangweso.
• 2016-2017: Board member, the "Center for Democracy, Research and Development,” Nairobi, Kenya.
• 2014-2017: Co-chair African Religions Section, of the American Academy of Religion. I lead business meetings and
met with section reviewers of the group towards upgrading the group into a section.
• 2016-2017. Editorial Board member, the Journal of American Academy of Religion (JAAR), the annual American Academy of Religion conference held in San Antonio Texas
• 2018/2019: Reviewer for Springer, African Womanhood, Health, Sexuality, and Incontinent Bodies: A Case of Kenyan Women Living with Vaginal Fistulas” manuscript for publication.
• 2018 -present Reviewer for Routledge, African Religions segment of Encyclopedia of Africana Studies.
• 2016- Editorial Board, Journal of American Academy of Religion
• 2016 – Reviewer, Routledge.
• 2016 - Reviewer for Springer. Reviewed for Springer, the manuscript, “African Womanhood, Health, Sexuality, and Incontinent Bodies: A Case of Kenyan Women Living with Vaginal Fistulas” manuscript for publication.
• 2016 – Reviewer, Palgrave Publishers
• 2014-present, Reviewer, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2014,
https://www .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4306873/
• 2013-present: Global Partners in Education Journal, Reviewer, www.gpejournal.org
• 2011-present: East African Journal of Humanities and Sciences (EAJS), Reviewer
• 2009-present: Kenya Studies Review (KSR), Editorial Advisory Board
• 2007-2012: Journal of Human Rights, reviewer
• 2006-2007 Consultant, Religions of the W orld Standard Setting, Excelsior College .
• 2006 - Reviews for Prentice-Hall, New York.
• 2006 - Reviews for McGraw Hill Companies, New York.
• 2006 - Reviews for Blackwell Publishers, United Kingdom.
• 2005 - Reviews for Longman Press, New York 2005-present
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Professional Associations Membership
Center for Democracy, Research, and Development, Nairobi, Kenya.
American Academy of Religion (AAR), USA
African Studies Association (ASA), USA
Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation (AAAHRP) Western Association of Women Historians (WAWH)
Kenya Studies Association (KSA)
International Society of the Sociology of Religion (ISSR)
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Activism: Domestic Violence Empowerment – Wiso Support Organization
Expert Testimony – invited to offer expert opinion for a Female Circumcision Asylum Case, Kansas, Missouri, 2008
Expert Testimony – invited to offer expert opinion for a Female Circumcision Asylum Case, Seattle Washington, January 2010
Drew African Students Association (DASA), Chairperson, Drew University: 2001-2002 Drew African Students Association (DASA), Secretary Drew University: 2002-2003 Drew University African Students Association (DASA), Conference Organizer
Social relations officer, Religious Studies Department, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
Work in progress Manuscript
Encyclopedia of African Studies, “Religions of Africa,” subject editor, under review, contract with Routledge (contract available upon request) under review
“Religion, Gender, and Education in Africa: Confronting Inequality in the 21st Century,” Journal of Education manuscript ID bujoe-19-0029, accepted for publication
“Religion, The African Woman and Human Rights,” Book Proposal revision underway.
Articles - Submitted for Review/possible publication
“Contending with Ritual Related Health Outcomes that Defies Medical Boundaries: The Case of Afrocentric Cultural Rites,” Journal of Religion and Health (JORH -D-19-00695)
“Gender, Religion and Social Mobility in Africa: Reasons for the Surge of Women in Leadership Roles?” (article revision).
Book Chapters- Submitted for review
Invited to serve as co-editor of Studies of Religion in Africa (SRA) Brill subject series co-editor, invited and contracted by Brill International Academic Publishers
Studies of Religion in Africa (SRA) Brill, co – editor, contracted by Brill International Academic Publishers
“Religion and the Public Square: The Case of Gender and Sexuality in Africa,’ Religion and the Public Sphere in Africa and the African Diaspora, under review
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• “Witches of the 21st Century: How Resilient African Spirituality Speaks to African Identity in Changing times” Religion, Identity, and Values: Rethinking Africa’s Development, edited by Ezra Chitando and Eunice Kamara, invited, chapter under construction.
• “Religions and Cultures of Kenya,” Handbook on Kenya, Palgrave, under contract, invited, chapter under construction.
• “Indigenous Religions of Kenya,” Handbook on Kenya, Palgrave, under contract, invited, chapter under construction
• “Religion and Development in Kenya,” The Encyclopedia for African Studies, ‘African Religions,’ encyclopedia entry
submitted for review.
Research Projects
• “Social Determinants of Reproductive Health in Kenya,” research report under construction pending final analysis of findings
References [Available upon request]

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