The President of Acadia Divinity College, Dr. Anna Robbins, is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Jodi L. Porter as Director of Education for Ministry Innovation and Mr. Joel Murphy as Facilitator of Trend Research & Analysis as part of the Futuring Lab project at ADC.
The Futuring Lab is a dynamic space to conduct research on trends and developments that will impact the future life of the church, as well as experiment with new approaches to theological education. The Futuring Lab has two inter-related elements: a Hub of Trend Research and Analysis that will conduct, gather, and interpret research on cultural trends, and a Sandbox for Theological Education and the Church to experiment with new methods and pedagogies. The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.
As Director of Education for Ministry Innovation, Dr. Jodi L. Porter will lead the Sandbox and provide oversight to the full Futuring Lab project. Dr. Porter holds an EdD in Leadership and Learning in Organizations (Vanderbilt University, Peabody College) as well as an MTh in Applied Theology (University of Oxford, Regent’s Park College). She brings extensive experience coordinating programs that cultivate learning communities and leadership development for church and academy. Since 2015, Jodi has served with the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) in Decatur, Georgia, first as Consultant and then as Director of Coordination. Her prior roles include Consultant and Facilitator at Baylor University, Program Coordinator at Duke University Divinity School, Project Coordinator and Consultant at Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Office of International Studies and Adjunct Lecturer at William Jewell College. Jodi will begin at the College on July 1, 2023.
Mr. Joel Murphy will lead the Hub of Trend Research and Analysis. A PhD Candidate in Educational Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University, Joel also holds a Master of Arts (Saint Mary’s University) and a Bachelor of Theology (Acadia University). Joel is currently the Impact and Innovation Coordinator at the Centre for Employment Innovation at St. Francis Xavier University where he works with relevant stakeholders to develop, analyze, and translate complex research findings into clear, actionable activities to support enhancement of service delivery across Nova Scotia. Joel adopts an Engaged Scholar approach to his work and has held various research related roles at St. Francis Xavier University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Acadia University, and the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (CBAC). Joel has extensive background in research design, community-based research projects, social impact assessment, evidence-based program design, knowledge mobilization and community engagement. He also has served as the Associate Director of Youth and Family with CBAC. Joel will begin at the College on January 9, 2023.
Please join the President in welcoming Jodi and Joel to Acadia Divinity College.
Discover Our Strategic Vision
Acadia Divinity College not only meets the challenges of the day; we strive to lead in maximizing opportunities for the creative development of theological education that equips able leaders for Christian service. We have the strength of our historical roots, in church and university. Out of that tradition, we embrace a spirit of cultural engagement and innovation as we prepare to meet future trends and challenges.
