Professional Memberships and Activity

I am an active member of different professional societies for the study of the Bible and ancient texts. In addition to presenting papers, I have served in various ways on standing committees and have helped with the planning and steering of the program units.

Society of Biblical Literature (SBL)

-Co-chair of the Prayer in Antiquity Program Unit
-Committee on the Status of Women in the Profession
-Professional Conduct Committee Member

I have attended the SBL annual meeting every year since 1997, the year that I became a member. This year the SBL is meeting virtually and in-person in San Antonio, TX (2021). In addition to chairing, presenting a papers, and serving as a respondent at the meetings, I have co-chaired the Religious Experience in Antiquity Program Unit, and I am currently the co-chair of the Prayer in Antiquity Program Unit. I am serving my second term as a member of the standing committee on the Status of Women in the Profession (CSWP). Recently, I have been invited to represent the CSWP on the relatively new Professional Conduct Committee. 

International Society of Biblical Literature (ISBL)

Co-chair of the Qumran and Dead Sea Scrolls Program Unit

After serving on the steering committee of the Qumran and Dead Sea Scrolls Program Unit, I am now co-chair of this group. In summer 2024, the ISBL will meet in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Call For Papers:
The Qumran and Dead Sea Scrolls program unit will host three sessions at the 2024 ISBL meeting. Given our conference location in Amsterdam, Netherlands, our first session will focus on the Cave 11 scrolls in honor of the crucial role played by Dutch scholars. Our second session is a joint session with the Apocalyptic Literature program unit on Józef T. Milik’s contributions to the study of Enoch, in anticipation of the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of The Books of Enoch. While some papers have been invited for both of these special themed sessions, we welcome strong proposals from scholars of any stage. Our third session is a completely open session. We welcome papers that explore a diverse range of methodologies and approaches to the texts relevant for understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Catholic Biblical Association (CBA)

Chair of the Professional Conduct Committee (2021 ongoing)

I served as co-chair of a Continuing Seminar known as the “Scripture in Early Judaism and Christianity” with John Endres SJ (2008-2012). This group presented a series of studies on the ancient fallen angels myths, many of which were edited and published as The Watchers in Jewish and Christian Traditions , edited by A.K. Harkins, Kelley Coblentz Bautch, and John Endres, SJ (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2014). 

I was recently invited to serve as chair of the newly created Professional Conduct Committee. For more information about the work of this committee, see this link.

Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (SNTS)

Elected to membership in July 2020.