Jonathan Russell is a chaplain working on Skid Row Los Angeles at the Union Rescue Mission and adjunct professor of philosophy and religion at Chaffey College. Formerly a professional recording artist and founding member of the band Cold War Kids, he holds a Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and is a Ph.D. candidate in Religion working under fellowship at Claremont Graduate University. In addition to working to develop innovative models for transformation as the Manager of Program Development at Union Rescue Mission, his academic research interests and publications range widely, from explorations of religion in the context of modern philosophy, to theories of subjectivity in the postmodern context, to explorations of contemporary theology, race and politics.

He regularly publishes on issues related to religion, race, and politics at various online platforms, including the Huffington Post and Religion Dispatches.

Areas of Expertise:

• The racialization of space in urban and religious contexts
• Religious organizing and activism in the postsecular context
• Race and politics in contemporary Evangelicalism