Patrick Tugwell
About:
Patrick Tugwell is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Religious Studies at UCSB. His research explores the social, economic, and political ‘stuff’ constructed and produced by a metaphysical tradition in the United States, attentive currently to the utility of “spirituality” in 21st-century American culture. He is also interested in religious fundamentalism, megachurches, popular culture & religion, prosperity gospel & faith-healing movements, and apocalyptic theologies.
Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Economics from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Boston University School of Theology, and a Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from Yale Divinity School. His academic background includes the fields of constructive theology, biblical criticism, applied ethics, and history of Christianity. Inspired by scholars like Catherine Albanese and Kate Bowler and an early career in sales and marketing, Patrick’s master’s thesis, “The Almighty Dollar,” traces the evolution and influence of (Christian) self-help religiosity in the United States since the late eighteenth century.
In addition to his academic work, Patrick is a licensed minister in the United Methodist Church and serves as a hospice and palliative care chaplain in Santa Barbara County. In 2024, he served as a FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics) Fellow following the completion of a year-long chaplain residency at Yale New Haven Hospital. During this time, he presented field research in palliative care chaplaincy and bioethics at conferences ranging from the American Academy of Religion (AAR) to the College Theology Society (CTS). His most recent article on chaplaincy ethics, “The Mundane Matters,” was published by FASPE Journal (March, 2025).
Teaching
- RGST35: Introduction to Religion & Politics (TA, fall 2024)
- RGST24: Jesus in Comparative Perspective (TA, winter 2025)
- RGST21/EACS21: Zen Buddhism (TA, spring 2025)
