4 minute read
Globally-Recognized Leaders
King's faculty members Dr. Thomas Tieku and Dr. Mark Yenson are recognized globally as leaders in their field.
A testament to his commitment to advancing the field of International Relations (IR), Dr. Thomas Tieku, Professor of Politics and International Relations, was elected Vice President of the International Studies Association (ISA). Founded in 1959, the ISA has more than 7,000 members representing over 100 countries. It is the most respected and widely known scholarly association in the field and endeavours to create communities of scholars dedicated to international studies.
Dr. Tieku expressed gratitude upon receiving the news. “It is both humbling and an honour to have the opportunity to lead over 7,000 international relations scholars,” said Dr. Tieku.
Reflecting on what this recognition means for King’s, he noted, “This election is a clear indication that King’s punches above its weight and has an outstanding reputation not only in Canada but globally. It reflects the high regard for the quality of research, scholarship, and publications produced at King’s and in Canada. It also demonstrates that, despite the relatively small size of the Canadian IR community, we have the ability to make a significant impact in the field of International Relations and remain highly competitive at the global level.”
As Vice President, Dr. Tieku will collaborate with the ISA President and Executive Committee to oversee the organization’s activities, supporting a diverse membership of academics, policy experts, practitioners, and independent researchers who focus on international, transnational, and global affairs.
Dr. Tieku’s nomination for the ISA Vice Presidency was spearheaded by Dr. Andrew Grant of Queen’s University and evaluated by a 10-member nominating committee, which reviewed submissions from across the world. The Nominating Committee presented six candidates for the position of Vice President of the Association, and he was elected as the top choice among the six scholars by the ISA membership.
“Being chosen from such a distinguished group of scholars is a meaningful validation of the work I’ve done in International Relations,” Dr. Tieku said.
On December 9, 2024, Dr. Mark Yenson, Interim Vice President and Academic Dean, addressed the plenary session of the International Congress on the Future of Theology, organized by the Vatican Office for Culture and Education and held at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.
The event brought together 450 theologians from around the globe to explore the evolving role of theology within society, the Church, and the world.
The Congress, titled “The Future of Theology: Legacy and Envisioning,” explored themes such as the geographical and cultural diversity of theology, the integration of interdisciplinary perspectives, and theology’s critical role within society.
One of three North American presenters, Dr. Yenson was invited to offer his insights as part of the third session: Theology Within and for Society, the Church and the World – Part I. He represented North and Central America and joined esteemed theologians from Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, South America, and Eastern Churches in offering diverse perspectives on global theological challenges.
In his presentation, Dr. Yenson emphasized the importance of interreligious understanding, dialogue, and reconciliation, particularly within the Canadian context. He highlighted the Church's responsibility in addressing the legacy of colonization and working for truth and reconciliation.
Dr. Yenson also critiqued exclusionary definitions of "religion," advocating for a more inclusive approach. "Deconstructing 'religion' is part of what we do in Religious Studies at King's in order to recognize the diversity and complexity of religious traditions," he explained. Quoting South African theologian John de Gruchy, he underscored that "reconciliation is a human and social process that requires theological explanation, and a theological concept seeking human and social embodiment."
The Congress began with an audience in the Vatican Apostolic Palace with the late Pope Francis, who spoke on the need to make theology accessible to all.
"Please, if any of these people knock at the door of theology, of the schools of theology, may they find it open. Make sure that these women and men find in theology an open house, a place where they can resume their journey, a place where they can seek, find and seek again," Pope Francis said, adding, "An all-male theology is an incomplete theology. We still have a long way to go in this direction."
Dr. Yenson had the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis at the start of the Congress, something he has called "a career highlight."
"It was a special privilege to greet Pope Francis individually. It was also a very human moment of encounter, with someone carrying an enormous responsibility on a global level but with simplicity and vulnerability," he says.
