Dr. Malik Walker | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award
Assistant Professor at CUNY Hunter College | United States
Malik J.M. Walker is a scholar of theology and religion whose work bridges Buddhist studies, urban theology, and interreligious dialogue. Serving as Associate Faculty at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, he combines rigorous academic scholarship with community engagement and pastoral care. His academic focus examines the intersections of race, spirituality, and spatiality, offering new perspectives on theology in contemporary urban contexts. Walker’s contributions include both scholarly publications and practical initiatives in meditation, interfaith engagement, and social justice. With an interdisciplinary approach, he engages theological anthropology, American Zen Buddhism, and liberation theologies to foster deeper understanding across diverse communities.
Profile:
Orcid
Education:
Walker earned his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Fordham University, where his dissertation, Saving Space: A Spatial Recasting of the Divine/Human Encounter & Cooperation for an Urban Theology, examined theology through the lens of spatiality and urban theory. His academic preparation includes an M.A.R. in Religion from Yale Divinity School, focusing on urban theology, and a B.A. in Theology from Xavier University of Louisiana. He also completed comprehensive examinations in theological anthropology, Islamic historical studies, and perspectives on theology and urbanity. This diverse educational background equips him with the theoretical and methodological tools to navigate religious discourse in pluralistic, urban environments.
Experience:
Walker’s professional career encompasses teaching, academic advising, and leadership roles at New York University, Hunter College, Union Theological Seminary, and Fordham University. At NYU, he serves as Senior Class Adviser and Co-Director of the GUIDE program, supporting student development and degree completion. His teaching spans topics such as apocalyptic literature, mysticism, religious justice, morality, and Buddhist polity. Prior roles include Senior Affiliate Buddhist Chaplain at NYU’s Center for the Global Spiritual Life, where he led meditation groups for students of color and developed pastoral care initiatives. He has also held program coordination roles in interfaith and STEM education contexts.
Research Interest:
Walker’s research interests span urban theology, American Zen Buddhism, liberation theology, and the theological implications of race and spatiality. He investigates how religious identity and practice intersect with urban cultural contexts, often through interdisciplinary dialogue with philosophy, sociology, and postcolonial theory. His work engages the theological anthropology of sin and salvation, the dynamics of religious consciousness in the New World, and the challenges of practicing Buddhism in multicultural and multi-religious environments. He is particularly interested in how theology can address systemic injustice, promote intercultural understanding, and transform communities through both scholarship and practice.
Award and Honors:
Walker has been recognized for his contributions to teaching, interfaith leadership, and scholarly engagement. His roles in advising and curriculum development at NYU demonstrate his commitment to academic excellence and student success. His leadership in the Soto Zen Buddhist Association of America, participation in international conferences, and involvement in community-focused meditation programs reflect his dedication to fostering interreligious understanding and public scholarship. Through his academic and pastoral work, he has advanced dialogue between faith traditions and promoted inclusive approaches to religious practice, earning respect across scholarly and spiritual communities.
Publication:
Title: Terraforming Religious Consciousness: Race as a Signifier in New World Religious Cosmogony
Citation: 1
Year of Publication: 2020
Title: Inviting the Esoteric into the Exoteric: Contemporary Challenges in American Zen Buddhism
Year of Publication: 2025
Title: Jazz Funerals and the Transcendental Politics of Struggle
Year of Publication: 2015
Title: Just Sit: Liberation as Abiding in an Urban Future
Year of Publication: 2015
Title: Moksha-Liberation: Buddhism and Blackness in Charles Johnson’s Oxherding Tale
Year of Publication: 2007
Conclusion:
Malik J. M. Walker stands out as a scholar who bridges rigorous theological research with public engagement and interfaith leadership. His work in urban theology and American Zen Buddhism addresses both academic debates and community realities, offering fresh insights into how religious traditions navigate modern challenges. Through his teaching, publications, and leadership, Walker cultivates critical dialogue, spiritual reflection, and inclusive community spaces. His contributions make him an exemplary candidate for awards recognizing scholarship, educational leadership, and social engagement, embodying the integration of intellectual depth, pedagogical innovation, and a commitment to justice and cross-cultural understanding.