Dr. Kate Ott is Jerre and Mary Joy Stead Professor of Christian Social Ethics at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. She served as Professor of Christian Social Ethics at Drew Theological School from Aug 2011 to June 2022. Kate holds a doctorate in Christian Social Ethics from Union Theological Seminary in the city of New York and a Masters of Arts in Religion from Yale Divinity School.
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Prior to academic teaching, Kate was the Deputy Director of the Religious Institute, a non-profit committed to sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society. There she led the project and publication of Sex and the Seminary: Preparing Ministers for Sexual Health and Justice. She has also taught as a lecturer at Yale University Divinity School and Union Theological Seminary. She also served as a youth minister and religious education director for five years.
Kate publishes on issues of sexuality (including reproductive issues), children and moral agency, professional ethics, digital technology and feminism in religion. Her teaching areas include Christian ethics (history and method); medical and healthcare ethics; children, youth, and young adults; sexuality; digital ethics; and feminist ethics/theology. She uses feminist pedagogies as well as integrating advanced digital technologies.
Kate is the co-editor of the Journal of Feminism in Religion of FSR, Inc. as well as having served on the Web and Books boards. FSR finds ways to bring the study of feminism in religion to a wider audience in a variety of formats. She works with and leads a number of committees in professional societies as well as advising non-profits that interact with seminaries and religious studies associations. Kate believes these efforts will help draw wider connections and accountability for and to the academy, congregations, and religiously influenced political movements.
Kate continues to conduct workshops related to technology, sexuality, youth, young adults, and parenting in addition to her teaching and research.