Alison Downie earned her PhD in Systematic Theology at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) with a concentration in Christian Feminist Theology. Her academic interests include ecofeminist theologies, disability theologies, religious understandings of self and memoir, religious themes in literature and film, and interfaith dialogues. She is also active in the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Downie has regularly presented papers at several academic conferences. Most recently, she presented "Theological Anthropology and Severe Mental Illness" at the Mid-Atlantic regional meeting of the American Academy of Religion in March 2017, and "The Communion of Saints in Life Writing: American Catholics Nancy Mairs and Mary Karr" at the College Theology society in June 2017. This paper was also selected for publication in the forthcoming annual conference proceedings volume.
Downie's previous publications include "A Spirituality of Openness: Christian Ecofeminist Perspectives and Inter-religious Dialogue," which appeared in Feminist Theology 2014, Vol. 23(1): 55-70 and several book reviews, which have appeared in various academic journals.
Downie has earned the Faculty Recognition Award in Content Pedagogy from IUP's Center for Teaching Excellence. Her paper on active learning in the classroom, presented at the PASSHE Fall 2012 Conference (Emerging and Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Practices to Ensure Student Success) was among those selected for the online monograph for this conference. Her article on teaching World Religions was featured as the lead piece in Teaching Theology and Religious Studies 2015, Vol. 18 (3):193-206.
Downie teaches World Religions, Christianity, Philosophy of Religion, and Understanding the Bible; she also teaches upper-level seminar courses in Christian Feminist Theology and Religious Autobiography. She is affiliated faculty for the Women's and Gender Studies and the Sustainability Studies programs, and serves as the advising coordinator for Religious Studies students.