Padraic Fitzgerald

Adjunct Faculty

Office Hours: By appointment on Zoom only


Padraic Fitzgerald is from St. Petersburg, FL, and a graduate of Eckerd College (’12) where he graduated with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Religious Studies. He completed his M.A. in religious studies at the University of Denver (’16) and is currently finishing his Ph.D. in Religious Studies there. His dissertation, titled Til Valhall!: The Formation of Nordic Neopagan Identity, Religiosity, and Community at Heavy Metal Festivals, explores the heavy metal festival as a temporary sacred space for people self-identifying as belonging to or adjacent to Nordic Neopaganism.

Education

Ph.D. Religion, University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology Joint Doctoral Program.

M.A. Religious Studies, University of Denver, 2016

B.A. Anthropology, Eckerd College, 2012

Research Interests

On paper, I locate myself at the crossroads of Material Religion and Phenomenology. I am interested in how people engage with the “stuff” of religion such as relics, clothing, and images. Of this religious “stuff”, I am particularly drawn to how people engage with the natural landscape and music to facilitate spiritual experiences. I am interested in the stories and practices of all religions, but I find particularly enjoy learning about the pre-Christian folk traditions of Europe, the pre-Christian traditions of the African diaspora, and Indigenous traditions.

Courses Taught