Dr Kathleen McPhillips

Qualifications

• PhD (Sociology), University of Newcastle, 1995
• Bachelor of Arts, Macquarie University, 1985

Research

Research keywords

• Psychoanalysis and Culture
• Religion and Film
• Religion and Gender
• Religion and Post-modernity
• Sainthood and Cultural theory

Research expertise

My research covers the fields of post-modernity, religion, gender and social theory. In particular, I explore constructions of gender and feminine subjectivity in accounts of religiosity and social theory, including feminine constructions of the sacred, queer theory/theology, and women's experience of religion. I am also researching the life and times of Mary MacKillop, Australia's first saint, and in particular exploring the ways in which she is constructed as a saint and a woman. My work in feminist subjectivity also covers depth psychology and feminist Jungian approaches to femininity and masculinity as dynamic archetypal psychic formations. I continue to research in this area via film studies and popular culture. Lastly as a sociologist of religion I have written extensively on new religious formations in post-modernity and in particular socio-psychological interpretations of miracles, visions and Marion pilgrimage in Australian contexts.

Fields of Research

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Gender Studies
• Religion and Post-modernity
• Social theory

Teaching expertise

SOCA 1030 The Sociology of Religion

SOCA 3902 Religion and Politics in Contemporary Society