Titles and education
Associate Professor of Migration Studies and Congregational Life, Hartford International University for Religion & Peace
Co-Director, Hartford Institute for Religion Research
Co-Chair, Faith Communities Today
Director, Pastoral Innovation Network of New England
Bachelor of Music Education, Lee University
MA in Cross Cultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary
PhD in Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary
Specialization
Research on transnational and diaspora religion, intergenerational and multiracial ministry, congregational studies, and the changing religious landscape of the US.
Biographical sketch and interests
I’m most interested in applied research that makes a tangible difference for religious communities and congregations. My journey began in Ghana, where I taught at the Pan African Christian University College. Upon returning to the US, I found that connecting with Ghanaians was easiest through the vibrant Ghanaian churches spread across the country. This experience, coupled with my family’s Pentecostal roots—my great aunt was part of the Azusa Street Revival—sparked my interest in congregational studies, Global South Christianity, and the dynamics of Pentecostal transnationalism.
My dissertation focused on the intergenerational and transnational dynamics of Ghanaian immigrant churches in the US. I’m currently co-authoring a book with Matthew Krabill titled Migrant God, Migrant Faith (IVP Academic). From 2019 to 2022, I contributed to the Megachurches in the Global South project, as a researcher and co-writing several articles from our findings. Now, as a Co-Investigator on the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations study, I’m leading research in 81 congregations across nine regions to understand the effects of COVID-19 and the changing landscape of congregations in the US.
Outside of academia, I express my creativity as a musician and an artist specializing in ceramics and fiber arts. In my spare time, I’m tackling the challenge of mastering pottery—the hardest endeavor I’ve undertaken—and honing my knitting skills.
View Allison Norton’s CV.