I'm the Edward Cadbury Professor of Theology at the University of Birmingham, UK and a Research Associate at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University. I was born in London, England, graduated from the University of Oxford, and received my advanced degrees from Yale University. Prior to taking up my chair at the University of Birmingham I taught at the University of Notre Dame.
My area of specialization is ancient history and early Christianity and the New Testament in particular. Most of my work is on this with particular focuses on martyrdom, persecution, disability, enslavement and other questions to do with marginalized groups. My first book was the winner of the 2011 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise I have won fellowships and awards from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities. I was elected a member of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas in 2013. To learn more about my research see my Writings page.
In addition to my academic books and articles I write a column for The Daily Beast. and I have contributed to LA Times, Politico Magazine, BBC, CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, Slate, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the Times Higher Education Supplement. I am a frequent contributor to CBS News when I am a Papal News Contributor and I have participated in, presented, and consulted on documentaries for National Geographic, History Channel, BBC, Discovery, E! (yes, really!), CNN, and the Travel Channel. You can find out more about the documentaries I have been involved in on my IMDB.com page.
When not traveling or in Birmingham I live in New York City with my husband and two children.
