Karen McClain Kiefer

PHD CANDIDATE

Hometown: Originally from Sidney, Ohio Karen has also lived in Maryland, Arizona and most recently, Minnesota
Education: Masters Theology with Honors: Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, Collegeville, MN
Certificate in Spiritual Direction: Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, Collegeville, MN
BS Business: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Thesis Topic
The nature of otherness and “empty space” in suffering, and how improvisation can inform a theological context which may help us respond meaningfully… with a special interest in application to current refugee crises – under the supervision of Trevor Hart.

Other Information
Karen is a lover of (almost) all things Scotland and is thrilled to be at St Andrews working toward a PhD in ITIA, where she also serves as Editor for Transpositions.  Following previous careers in corporate management and consulting, Karen turned toward service in managing programs in pastoral, social and theatre ministries.

While at Saint Johns School of Theology and Seminary in Minnesota, Karen served as co-editor for the journal Obsculta.  She has taught and facilitated groups for over a decade – most recently in Minnesota, where she taught Ethics at Saint Cloud Community College, Old Testament at Saint John’s Preparatory School, and was a teaching assistant in biblical studies at Saint John’s University.

In the arts scene, Karen has performed in three Arizona improv troupes; several local community theatre productions; helped produce The Mending Monologues; and co-founded Potter’s Hand Productions, a faith-based community theatre production company.  When not researching, writing, going to plays & movies, or sleeping, Karen is walking.  Always walking.  She has traded mountain, canyon and lake hikes for windy beach walks, pedestrian commutes through the streets of St Andrews, and the lovely Lade Braes.