Claire L. Sahlin, Ph.D.
Cornaro Professor; Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Email: csahlin@twu.edu
Dr. Sahlin’s administrative work includes coordinating faculty development programs to promote a culture of belonging for new faculty and to support mid-career faculty aspiring to leadership roles. When time allows, she teaches courses related to social justice perspectives on religion as well as feminist environmental philosophy and ethics.
Dr. Sahlin’s research expertise is in the field of women’s studies in religion with a focus on women’s leadership in the history of medieval Christianity. She also engages with research on religious literacy and has led programming to enhance inclusion for religious minorities on our campus.
Education
| Degree | Date | Field | Institution |
| PhD | 1996 | The Study of Religion | Harvard University |
| MA | 1991 | The Study of Religion | Harvard University |
| MTS | 1986 | Theological Studies | Harvard University, The Divinity School |
| BA | 1982 | Philosophy and Psychology, summa cum laude | Bethel College |
Selected Publications
- Sahlin, Claire L. “Holy Women of Medieval Scandinavia: A Survey.” Medieval Holy Women in the Christian Tradition: Twelfth through Fifteenth Centuries. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols International Academic Publishers, forthcoming. In press.
- Sahlin, Claire L. “Gender and the Paradoxes of Religious Authority: Birgitta of Sweden’s Encounters with Archbishop Bernard of Naples.” 2009: 95-103. Print.
- Sahlin, Claire L. “Texas Woman’s University: Threats to Institutional Autonomy and Conflict Over the Admission of Men.” 2006: 108-144. Print.
- Sahlin, Claire L. “.” NWSA Journal 2005: 164-70.
- Sahlin, Claire L. Birgitta of Sweden and the Voice of Prophecy. Studies in Medieval Mysticism, Vol. 3. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell and Brewer, 2001.
- Sahlin, Claire L. “Preaching and Prophesying: The Public Proclamation of Birgitta of Sweden’s Revelations.” Performance and Transformation: New Approaches to Late Medieval Spirituality 1999: 69-96. Print.
- Sahlin, Claire L. “The Prophetess as Preacher: Birgitta of Sweden and the Voice of Prophecy.” Medieval Sermon Studies 40 1997: 29-44. Print.
- Sahlin, Claire L. “Gender and Prophetic Authority in Birgitta of Sweden’s Revelations.” Gender and Text in the Later Middle Ages 1996: 69-95. Print.
Honors, Awards & Services
| Date | Award/Service | Institution |
| 2007 | Summer Research Stipend | 探花楼 |
| 2005 | Multidisciplinary Research Grant | 探花楼 |
| 2004, 2001 | Research Enhancement Program Award | 探花楼 |
| 2003-2004 | President | American Academy of Religion, Southwest Region |
| 1999-2004 | Regional Representative | National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA), South-Central Region |
| 2003 | Summer Stipend | National Endowment for the Humanities |
| 2003 | Outstanding Honors Faculty of the Year | 探花楼 |
Page last updated 1:52 PM, November 10, 2025