Dhawn Martin

Assistant Professor of Theology

Wellesley College, BA; Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, MDiv; Durham University (England), MA; Drew University, Ph.D., M.Phil.

Dhawn B. Martin joined Louisville Seminary’s faculty in 2025. She holds the Ph.D. and a M.Phil. in Theological and Philosophical Studies from the Graduate Division of Religion, Drew University, a MDiv from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a M.A. from Durham University (England) in Western European Political and Economic Integration, and a B.A. in Political Science from Wellesley College. She has taught classes in philosophy, theology, civic engagement, and religious studies at Hanover College, St. Mary’s University (San Antonio), Elon University, and Drew University—Graduate Division of Religion.

In addition to academic positions, Martin served as Executive Director of the Source of Light (SoL) Center—an interfaith adult education initiative housed at University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, from 2016-2023. And more recently, from 2023-2025, managed the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy for the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Martin’s scholarship examines the interplay of Christian spirituality, novel strategies for social witness, and compassion-based activisms, particularly through the lens of public theology. She approaches public theology as liturgical in nature—in that theology is both the work of the people (liturgy: laos/ ergon), and a responsiveness to God’s call to creative engagement with the world. Her current research explores the insights and embodiments of mysticism as sacred resource to enliven social activism.

In addition to the co-edited volume, Ecological Solidarities: Mobilizing Faith & Justice for an Entangled World (Penn State, 2019), Martin has also contributed to the academy through articles, book reviews, and presentations. She also actively participates in the life of the church, through regular preaching, leading women’s retreats, public engagements, and interfaith dialogues.