Newly Constituted Editorial Board of the ARC Journal "Religion and Social Communication"

The ARC is pleased to announce the newly constituted Editorial Board of the journal Religion and Social Communication. The 14 members of the Editorial Board come from a variety of disciplines, and from diverse geographical, cultural, and religious backgrounds. The newly constituted Editorial Board is part of the ARC’s effort to improve the quality of the journal, making it a more beneficial and trusted place for upcoming and seasoned scholars who are looking for reputable journals to publish their opus. The ARC would like to express deep gratitude to all the esteemed scholars who have agreed to serve on the Editorial Board for the term 2022-2024. The members are as follows: 

Gerhold K. Becker, Dr. Phil (Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong): 

Dr. Becker is Regular Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Religion and Philosophy, Assumption University of Thailand, Bangkok; Chair Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Hong Kong Baptist University (retired 2004), Founding Director, Centre for Applied Ethics, Hong Kong Baptist University (1991-2000), appointed Member, Hong Kong Council on Human Reproductive Technology and Chairman of Council’s Ethics Committee (2001-2004). Editor Value Inquiry Book Series Studies in Applied Ethics, Rodopi (New York/Amsterdam), Research Fellow, Centre for Business Ethics, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Founding Member, Macau Association of Business Ethics, Elected Member, European Academy of Sciences and Arts. Becker holds Licentiate degrees in philosophy (Munich) and Catholic theology (Frankfurt) and a Doctorate (Dr. phil.) in philosophy (summa cum laude) from the University of Munich, Germany. Prior to joining Hong Kong Baptist University (1986), he was a member of the department of philosophy, University of Munich. Becker has published on a wide range of issues in religion, philosophy, and applied ethics. His books (as author and/or editor) include: The Moral Status of Persons: Perspectives on Bioethics (2000); Changing Nature’s Course: The Ethical Challenge of Biotechnology (1996); Ethics in Business and Society: Chinese and Western Perspectives (1996); Die Ursymbole in den Religionen (1987); Neuzeitliche Subjektivität und Religiosität (1982); Communicatio Fidei (1982); Theologie in der Gegenwart (1978). 

Yoel Cohen, PhD (Ariel University, Israel): 

Dr. Cohen is Professor Emeritus on the faculty of the School of Communication, Ariel University, Israel. He is the author of many publications on media and religion, including the books God, Jews and the media: Religion & Israel's Media (Routledge, 2012); and Spiritual News: Reporting Religion around the World (Peter Lang Pubishers, 2018). He is a convenor of the Religion & Communication working group of the International Association of Media & Communication Research (IAMCR). 

Preciosa Regina de Joya, PhD 

Dr. Preciosa de Joya is a Lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. She was previously an Assistant Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University and a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Cultural Inquiry, Berlin (2014-2016). She received her PhD in Southeast Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore, under the supervision of Filipino historian, Reynaldo Ileto. Her current research focuses on intellectual history and intercultural and Southeast Asian philosophy. Her publications include “Exorcising Communist Spectres and Witch Philosophers: The Struggle for Academic Freedom of 1961” (Kritika Kultura, 2016), and “Exploring Southeast Asian Studies Beyond Anglo-America: Reflections on the Idea of Positionality in Filipino Thought” (Suvannabhumi: Multidisciplinary Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 2019). 

John T. Giordano, PhD (Assumption University, Thailand): 

Dr. Giordano is a Lecturer in Philosophy and Religion at Assumption University of Thailand. He has also taught at Ateneo de Manila in the Philippines as well as small colleges in Tanzania and South Africa. He teaches and writes on a wide range of topics, but he is particularly interested in the philosophy of mythology and the changing roles of mythology within the present information age. He is also the editor of the journal Prajñā Vihāra: Journal of Philosophy and Religion. 

Paulin Batairwa Kubuya, SX, PhD (Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican): 

Dr. Kubuya is a priest in the Xaverian Missionary Congregation. He holds a Master of Arts in Theology from the Maryhill School of Theology (Philippines), and a Doctorate in Religious Studies from Fu Jen Catholic University (Taiwan). Since 2019, he has been serving as the Under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (which will be upgraded to Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue effective June 5, 2022). He is also a member of the “Joint Working Group” of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Council of Churches, and a Consultor for the Editrice Missionaria Italiana. Prior to being appointed by Pope Francis to his post in the Roman Curia, he had served as Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan, and was the Executive Secretary for the Commissions for Christian Unity and that of Interreligious Dialogue of the Regional Bishops’ Conference of China - Taiwan. Among his published work is the book Meaning and Controversy within Chinese Ancestor Religion (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018) and the articles “Inculturation of the Church in China: The Case of Taiwan,” (Religions & Christianity in Today's China 10, No. 1 (2020): 34-43 and “Q.R. Codes of Deities: Digital Media @ the Service of Religion in Taiwan,” Religion and Social Communication 18, No. 1 (2020): 37-48. 

Padtheera Narkurairattana, PhD (Mahidol University, Thailand): 

Dr. Narkurairattana is Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Mahidol University, Thailand. She is also editor of the Journal of Human Rights and Peace Studies. Her publications in Thai and English address a wide range of topics including: peace and conflict issues, minority rights, social and community development, and interreligious dialogue. She has carried out extensive research on the ongoing religious and ethnic conflict in Southern Thailand. An example of her research in Southern Thailand is her published article “Micro-minority and Negotiated Lives in a Deadly Conflict Society: A Case Study of Sikhs in Pattani,” Social Science Asia 5, No. 3(2019): 55-66. In addition to academic work, she is deeply involved in consultation and education work promoting non-violence, human rights, peacebuilding, social development, and religious harmony. 

Duc Loc Nguyen, PhD (Social Life Research Institute, Vietnam): 

Dr. Nguyen is an anthropologist and sociologist, presently serving as President of the Social Life Research Institute in Vietnam. Since 2004, he has been working as a researcher and consultant on projects to solve social issues, especially those involving disadvantaged groups, labor and Catholic community in Vietnam. After founding Social Life Research Institute in 2017, he has been continuing his research into the aforementioned target groups, while expanding his expertise into the practical issues of social life (research, social surveys, policy advice, social forecasting, etc.). His published works include The Transformation of Religious Beliefs in Vietnam Today, Introduction to Creative Thinking and Scientific Research Methods, Trust and Social Capital. He is presently also teaching Anthropology and Sociology at many universities in Vietnam. 

Gnana Patrick, PhD (University of Madras, India): 

Dr. Patrick is Professor and Head of the Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras, and holds a doctorate in Christian Studies. He was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship in 2004 to do research on Asian religions and Cultures in Hong Kong Chung Che College. In the year 2013, he was awarded the Fulbright – Nehru Visiting Lecturer Fellowship and taught a course on Public Religion: Learning from Indian and American Experiences at the Divinity School, Harvard University, USA. He co-edited a volume with Prof. Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza under the title Negotiating Border – Theological Explorations in the Global Era (2008). Other publications that he has authored include Public Theology – Indian Concerns, Perspectives and Issues (USA: Fortress Press, 2020), Indian Christianity and Its Public Role (edited, New Delhi: Christian World Imprint, 2019), Wings of Faith – Public Theologies in India (New Delhi: ISPCK, 2013), Religion and Subaltern Agency (2003); Oral Traditions and Theology (1996); and Resonances (Tamil). He has penned 88 research articles which are published in various national and international journals. He has presented 81 research papers in various national and international conferences. He served as the Chief-editor of Indian Journal of Christian Studies from 2012-2016. He was given the Best Researcher Award by the University of Madras for the year 2017-18. He served the University of Madras as Dean, Student Affairs, from 2017 to 2019 and is serving as Dean-Research. Presently, he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Global Network for Public Theology. 

Chandrabhanu Pattanayak, PhD (Institute of Knowledge Societies, India): 

Dr. Pattanayak is the Director of the Institute of Knowledge Societies. The Institute of Knowledge Societies (IKS) holds the exploration of the interface between modern technologies and traditional knowledge systems at its core. Previously, he held numerous positions such as Director of CCTE & the University of Hawai’i, Manoa-India programmes, consultant to the National Skill Development Corporation under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, Vice Chancellor (i/c), Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of Expressive Cultures, Media and Communications, Himgiri ZEE University, in Dehradun India, and Global Consultant in International and Cross-Cultural Education and Training. He is also a Producer /Director at the Indira Gandhi National Open University, and has made several video and audio programs which have been telecast and broadcast on national and international channels on numerous occasions and have been used as classroom teaching aids in several universities and institutions throughout the world. He has produced and directed about 40 videos and about 50 radio documentaries. He has attended and presented scholarly papers in more than 150 National and International conferences and has published in several international journals and books. 

Norman Melchor R. Peña, Jr, SSP, PhD (St Paul University, Manila, Philippines): 

Dr. Peña is a Catholic priest of the Society of St Paul. He is Dean of Studies of Saint Paul Seminary Foundation (Philippines) and lectures on Intercultural Communication, Mission, New Evangelization and Communication in Asia, Foundations of Social Communication, Ethics and Law, Knowledge Management, Communication Management, Communication, Culture and Society, Communication Research, Religious Identity in Social Media and Social Media Studies at St Paul University Manila (SPUM), Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies, and Maryhill School of Theology. He holds a Doctorate in Communication (Universita’ Pontificia Salesiana - Italy) and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Management (SPUM). 

Sebastian Periannan, PhD (Annai Vailankanni Arts and Science College, India): 

Dr. Periannan is the diocesan priest of Thanjavur South India. Currently, he is the Secretary and correspondent at Annai Vailankanni Arts and Science college at Thanjavur. Formerly, he has worked as a broadcaster and Director of Tamil Section of Radio Veritas Asia Manila Philippines. After his doctorate from the state University of the Philippines, he was appointed to teach at St. Peters Pontifical Seminary/ Institute in Bangalore, India. He was former Rector of the saminary from 2003 to 2009. He lectures on Social and Pastoral Communication and Research Methodology. In addition to articles, he has published two books, Social Research Methodology: An Introduction (published by the University of Madras) and Missionary Communication (published by A T C Bangalore). He has been associated with ARC from the very beginning. 

Paul A. Soukup, SJ, PhD (Santa Clara University, CA, USA): 

Dr. Soukup has explored the connections between communication and theology since 1982. His publications include Communication and Theology (1983); Christian Communication: A Bibliographical Survey (1989); Media, Culture, and Catholicism (1996), Mass Media and the Moral Imagination with Philip J. Rossi (1994), and Fidelity and Translation: Communicating the Bible in New Media with Robert Hodgson (1999). This latter publication grows out of his work on the American Bible Society’s New Media Bible. In addition, he and Thomas J. Farrell have edited four volumes of the collected works of Walter J. Ong, S.J., Faith and Contexts (1992-1999). These volumes have led him to examine more closely how orality-literacy studies can contribute to an understanding of theological expression. Most recently, he has published a book of Biblical meditations on communication, Out of Eden: 7 Ways God Restores Blocked Communication (2006) and edited a collection of essays applying Ong’s thought, Of Ong & Media Ecology: Essays in Communication, Composition, and Literary Studies (2012). A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D., 1985), Soukup teaches in the Communication Department at Santa Clara University, holding the Pedro Arrupe, S.J., University Chair. Fr. Soukup has served on the Boards of Trustees of the American Bible Society and Loyola University of New Orleans; served on the Communication Committee of the U.S. Catholic Conference; and holds membership in the Religious Communication Association, the National Communication Association, and the Media Ecology Association. 

Imtiyaz Yusuf, PhD (ISTAC-IIUM, Malaysia): 

Dr. Yusuf is Associate Professor and the Coordinator for the Islamization of Knowledge Programme and Islam and Buddhism Programme at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is currently a non-Resident Research Fellow at the Center for Contemporary Islamic World (CICW), Shenandoh University, Leesburg, USA, and former Senior Fellow at the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, (ACMCU) Georgetown University, Washington D.C., USA. He is also the former Director of the Center for Buddhist-Muslim Understanding in the College of Religious Studies at Mahidol University in Thailand. His most recent publications are: “Muslims as Thailand's Largest Religious Minority” in Routledge Handbook of Islam in Southeast Asia edited by Syed Muhammad Khairudin Aljunied (London: Routledge, 2022); “Building Muslim-Buddhist Understanding: The Parallels of Taqwa/Allah Consciousness in the Qur'an and Satipatthana/Mindfulness in Anapanasati Sutta in "Overcoming Orientalism - Essays in Honor of John L. Esposito" edited by Tamara Sonn (New York: Oxford University Press, 2021) pp. 173-190; “Islamic Theology of Religious Pluralism: Building Islam-Buddhism Understanding” in Pluralism in Islamic Contexts - Ethics, Politics and Modern Challenges edited by Mohammed Hashas, (Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2021) pp. 201-219; Essential Writings Ismail Al Faruqi (Kuala Lumpur: Center for Islam in the Contemporary World at Shenandoah University, USA and Islamic Book Trust, Malaysia, 2021); A Muslim’s Reflections on Saddharamapundariksutra—The Lotus Sutra in Buddhist-Christian Studies 40 (2020) pp. 79 –104. 

Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, D.Min (University of Dayton, OH, USA): 

Dr. Zukowski is the Director of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (1978- present) and Professor in the Department of Religious Studies of the University of Dayton (a Catholic/Marianist University). She is a Marianist Education Associate (MEA) and has been teaching at UD for over 34 years. Zukowski’s current research is in designing prototypes for interactive e-learning for Catholic education, adult faith, lay ecclesial leadership and catechist formation through the VLCFF and the University of Dayton’s online graduate programs. She is particularly interested in the influence, or impact that the digital culture is having on new ways of being human in the 21st century. A special research interest is building on the work of Fr. Pierre Babin, OMI (with whom she was associated for twelve years in Lyon, France) for re-imagining his Symbolic Way in the light of the digital culture. Her publications include: Communicatio Socialis: The Challenge of Theology and Ministry in the Church (2007) published by Kassel University (Germany); Medias, chance pour l’ evangeile written with Pierre Babin published in Paris (2000) and translated/published into English by Loyola Press entitled The Gospel and the Internet (2002). Her book Voices of Courage: An International Profile of Women in Catholic Communications (2001) has been translated into Slovakian and other languages (2003). She continues to write numerous articles for international publications.