- The Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, PhD, one of the foremost womanist theologians known for her writings on racial justice and sexuality and the Black church, will rejoin Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) as a Distinguished Scholar for the 2026–2027 and 2027-2028 academic years. In this role, the Rev. Dr. Douglas will lead a variety of theological education offerings for EDS aimed at expanding the moral imaginary and fostering a more just future. Her work will include teaching two virtual courses, hosting public webinars, leading timely online theological conversations, and, with EDS’ Director of Theological Education, the Rev. Dr. Brandon Crowley, developing and leading EDS’s new Ruby Sales Black Scholars Fellowship.
The Rev. Dr. Douglas served as the Dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary from 2017 to 2023, where she is now Dean Emerita. Ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1983, the Rev. Dr. Douglas has shaped public conversations across the church and world and formed scholars and leaders. She currently serves as Canon Theologian at both the Washington National Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, and is the Anglican Communion Canon at Newcastle Cathedral in England. Her role as EDS’s Distinguished Scholar brings her visionary, justice-oriented scholarship and teaching back to the EDS community.
"I am excited to accept President Lydia Bucklin's invitation to join the EDS team as Distinguished Scholar and to work alongside Dr. Brandon Crowley in launching the Inaugural fellowship for Black Scholars. I look forward to offering courses which explore womanist theology and expanding the moral imaginary. I am excited to learn again with the EDS community."
The Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin ’15, President and Dean of EDS, shared her excitement for the partnership: “It is an absolute joy to welcome our Dean Emerita back to EDS as a Distinguished Scholar. I am blessed to have been called to carry forth the leadership of EDS, following Dr. Douglas’ extraordinary impact on the life of our school. To now have the opportunity to serve alongside her as a colleague will be a true privilege. Dr. Douglas continues to challenge and inspire us as a transformative voice in the church and the academy, and we give thanks for her and her contributions as she takes on this new role at EDS.”
The Rev. Dr. Brandon Crowley, EDS’s Director of Theological Education, is one of Rev. Dr. Douglas’ many mentees. He said, “Rev. Dr. Douglas’ scholarship was critical and transformative for me as a young queer man growing up in the Black church. It will be a joyful experience to work alongside Dr. Douglas and to pour her innovation and brilliance into an inaugural fellowship for Black scholars. I look forward to seeing what we can create together and in community.”
This announcement comes during a season of dynamic growth for EDS under President Bucklin’s leadership. The institution continues to focus on boldly reimagining the next iteration of theological education to meet the changing needs of the church and world.