REA2026 Mentoring Emerging Scholar-Practitioners: The Horizons in RE Writing Fellowship

This session highlights the Horizons in Religious Education Writing Fellowship, an initiative connected to the Horizons in Religious Education book series and funded by the Wabash Center that mentors emerging scholar-practitioners in the craft of academic writing and the process of preparing manuscripts for publication. Designed especially for scholars transitioning from dissertation writing to publishing, the fellowship supports participants in developing their projects while cultivating their distinctive voices as authors in the field of religious education. Following a brief introduction to the goals, structure, and achievements of the fellowship, current fellows will present short reflections on their research projects and share key insights from their experience in the program. In particular, they will reflect on what they have learned through the mentoring and revision process—how they are reshaping dissertation research into publishable scholarship, discovering their authorial voice, and navigating the intellectual and practical challenges of academic writing. Through these reflections, the session offers insight into the formative role of mentorship, collaborative learning, and editorial guidance in nurturing emerging scholars and strengthening the future of scholarship in religious education. Presented by Karen Mosby (Meadville Lombard Theological School), Mary Hess (Luther Seminary), Patricia Bonilla (Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary), Miseon Choi (Claremont School of Theology), Jana Howson (Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Chynaah Maryoung-Cooke (Lancaster Theological Seminary (now Moravian Theological Seminary)), and Jeniffer Wowor (Duta Wacana Christian University). Facilitated by Mary Hess (Luther Seminary).