Devin Zuckerman is a 4th year PhD candidate in the Department of Religious Studies at the University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Her dissertation project looks at the development of pre-scientific theories of matter in 12th through 14th century Tibetan Buddhism. In particular, she studies the ways that the theory of the "primary elements" of earth, water, fire, wind and space functions within forms of discourse on the body, the natural environment, and as a theme within meditation practice.
Devin has been involved in the Religious Studies Graduate Student Association since its inception in 2018, first serving as secretary and a member of the Internal Governance committee, and currently serving as co-chair this year. She founded and organized a History of Religion colloquium during the academic year 2018-2019. From 2017-2019, she also served as a graduate coordinator for the Religion, Race and Democracy lab. During this time, she was a graduate participant in the Sanctuary Lab project, an interdisciplinary study investigating the effects of global change on political and natural ecologies.
Devin is one of two PhD Plus Liaisons from Department of Religious Studies in 2020-2021. Alongside other PhD+ Liaisons, Devin will collaborate with institutional and departmental teams on the broader goals of the AAU PhD Education initiative; namely, to make the full range of PhD career pathways visible, valued and viable for all students. As a PhD Plus Liaison Program for AAU PhD Education initiative, she looks forward to collaborating with fellow graduate students and faculty to create more robust professional development programming for graduate students in the humanities, and making the variety of career opportunities for grad students more accessible.
ABOUT THE LIAISON PROGRAM
As a professional development experience for advanced graduate students, PhD Plus Liaison program affords the opportunity to collaborate with department leaders and PhD Plus administrators to identify ways in which field-specific training and education can be enhanced through the implementation of programs, practices, and activities broadly related to professional development.
In 2020-2021, eight liaisons will provide student leadership on the University's AAU PhD Education initiative and represent the four participating departments: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, English and Religious Studies.