What makes for a good life, and can it be pursued in common? What does justice look like in a complex, global economy? How can leaders, despite their personal interests and failures, guide organizations and communities to do the right thing? How do people appropriately integrate their religious commitments into the various activities of their lives? What role should religiously based moral convictions play in a devout and diverse society?
Questions such as these fuel my own scholarship, and I aim to inspire my students to grapple with them and arrive at their own answers.
Over my career I have been fortunate to study with economists, theologians, ethicists, and leadership scholars, and I seek to apply insights from those various fields to the moral issues that concern us all: how to build from religious tolerance and mutual respect to confront fears, real and imagined, in an age of terrorism; how to balance the needs of other nations with those of our own; how to understand the appropriate and constructive role of business and commerce within our civil society.
In my fourth book, Money Enough: Everyday Practices for Living Faithfully in the Global Economy (Jossey Bass, 2010), I look at how people spend and save money, how labor fits with leisure, and how various aspects of economic life can be viewed through the lens of daily practice. And I frame some key theological and ethical questions, such as: What is the appropriate role of money in a well-lived life?
On my website, there is information about Money Enough, and three other books that I wrote earlier in my career, along with links to articles, public talks, and other materials.
In With God on All Sides: Leadership in a Devout and Diverse America (Oxford University Press, 2009), I consider the ways leaders must draw together people from varied backgrounds in order to transform the problem of diversity into an opportunity. In other words, how do we turn the cacophony of beliefs and practices into a kind of citizenship worthy of the American tradition of religious freedom?
In Religion and the Workplace (Cambridge University Press, 2003), I propose some constructive solutions based on a respectful pluralism that allows for the expression of individual beliefs and practices.
And in Inequality and Christian Ethics (Cambridge University Press, 2000), perhaps my most theoretical work, I draw on Christian social ethics, political philosophy, and development economics, in order to illuminate contemporary realities and trends of inequality, as well as their moral significance.
Having joined the university in July 2012 as provost and dean of the faculty and professor of religion, I look forward to sharing my scholarly and practical perspectives with the Colgate community, Hamilton, and Central New York.
MA, PhD Harvard University, 1995, 1998
MDiv Duke University, 1993
AB Davidson University, 1990
Complete CV
Professor of leadership studies and religion, University of Richmond, 1998-2012
Visiting faculty positions at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Harvard Divinity School
Ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Former president of the Academy of Religious Leadership
Former chair of the Religion and Social Sciences section of the American Academy of Religion
Board member of the Virginia Poverty Law Center
Books
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Book Chapters & Reviewed Conference Proceedings
- Hicks, Douglas A. “Making a Good Living.” In On Our Way: Christian Practices for Living a Whole Life, ed. by Dorothy C. Bass and Susan R. Briehl, pp. 117-132. Nashville: Upper Room Books, 2010.
- “Global Poverty and Bono’s Celebrity Activism: An Analysis of Moral Imagination and Motivation.” In Global Neighbors: Christian Faith and Moral Obligation in Today’s Economy, ed. by Douglas A. Hicks and Mark Valeri, pp.43-62. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2008.
- and Mark Valeri, “Critical Economic Engagement: On the Perennial and Novel Dimensions.” In Global Neighbors: Christian Faith and Moral Obligation in Today’s Economy, op. cit., pp. 248-264.
- Hicks, Douglas A. “Public-Sector Leadership, Development, and Ethics: The State of the Literature and Central Questions for Future Work.” In World Ethics Forum: Conference Proceedings, ed. by Charles Sampford and Carmel Connors, pp. 149-169. Queensland, Australia: The Institute for Ethics, Governance and Law (UN University, Griffith and Queensland University of Technology with the Australian National University), 2007.
- “Ethical and Theological Challenges in Globalization.” Proceedings of the Maryville Symposium: Conversations on Faith and the Liberal Arts, ed. by Ronald Wells, pp. 3-18. Maryville, TN: Maryville College, 2007.
- “Inequalities, Agency, and Well-Being: Conceptual Linkages and Measurement Challenges in Development.” In Understanding Human Well-Being, ed. by Mark McGillivray and Matthew Clarke, pp. 101-116. Tokyo: United Nations University Press, 2006.
- Price, Terry L. and Douglas A. Hicks. “A Framework for a General Theory of Leadership Ethics.” In Quest for a General Theory of Leadership, ed. by George R. Goethals and Georgia Sorenson, pp. 123-151. Northhampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2006.
- Hicks, Douglas A. “Ethical Diversity and the Leader’s Religious Commitments.” In The Quest for Moral Leaders: Essays on Leadership Ethics, ed. by Joanne B. Ciulla, Terry L. Price, and Susan E. Murphy, 45-61. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005.
- “The Hunger Index” and “Technical Note: The Hunger Index.” In Hunger 2001: Foreign Aid That Works (Eleventh Annual Report on the State of World Hunger). Washington: Bread for the World Institute, 2001: 113-115, 132-133.
Additional Articles and Essays
- Hicks, Douglas A. “Les Religions a la Feina: Gestió d’un potencial.” (Translation from Catalan: “Religions at Work: Managing Their Power/Potential.”) Dialogal: Quaderns de l’Associacio UNESCO per al Dialeg Interreligios. Winter 2011 no. 40.
- Hicks, Douglas A. “Introduction: Charisma and Religious Leadership.” Journal of Religious Leadership vol. 9 no. 2 (fall 2010), in production.
- Hicks, Douglas A. and Mark Valeri. “Good Samaritans in a World Economy.” Harvard Divinity Bulletin 37/2-3 (spring/summer 2009): 8-11.
- Hicks, Douglas A. “Fragile Alliances: Overcoming Interfaith Suspicions,” The Christian Century 126/5 (March 10, 2009): 30-35.
- “Memo to the Candidates: What Leading a Devout and Diverse Nation Requires.” The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 24, 2008, B14-15.
- “Global Inequality.” Christian Reflection: A Series in Faith and Ethics 24 (summer 2007):18-25. Center of Christian Ethics, Baylor University.
- “Star Power: The Limits of Celebrity Activism.” The Christian Century 123/6 (March 21, 2006): 23-24. Reprinted as “Celebrity Activism is Limited.” In Can Celebrities Change the World?, ed. by Roman Espejo, pp. 20-24. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009.
- Fasching, Jillian M. and Douglas A. Hicks. “Famine as Leadership Failure.” Concepts and Connections: A Publication for Leadership Educators 14/2 (2006). National Clearinghouse of Leadership Programs, University of Maryland.
- Hicks, Douglas A. “The Author Replies” [response to David Craig, “Comment,” The Journal of Religious Ethics 31/1]. The Journal of Religious Ethics 31/1 (spring 2003): 163-165.
- “Paved with Good Intentions: The Politics of National Service.” The Christian Century 119 (July 31/August 7, 2002): 10-11.
- “The Customer is NOT Always Right: The Moral Perils of Market Principles.” Sojourners 28/2 (March/April 1999): 24-27.
- “Good News and the Poor: Lessons from Russia, Poland, and England.” Duke Divinity News and Notes 8/1 (fall 1992).
- and Terry L. Price. “An Ethical Challenge for Leaders and Scholars: What Do People Really Need?” Selected Proceedings of the Leaders/Scholars Association. James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership, 1999: 53-61.
Book Reviews
- Hicks, Douglas A. Review of Miroslav Volf, Allah: A Christian Response (HarperOne, 2011). The Presbyterian Outlook (March 4, 2011).
- Hicks, Douglas A. Review of Stephen Green, Good Value: Reflections on Money, Morality and an Uncertain World (New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2010). The Christian Century vol. 127 no. 23 (November 16, 2010).
- Review of Jeffrey Sachs, The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time (New York: Penguin, 2005). CrossCurrents 56/1 (spring 2006): 139-140.
- “Taming the Beast: The Virtues of Corporate Life.” Review of William Greider, The Soul of Capitalism (Simon & Schuster, 2004) and Jonathan B. Wight, Saving Adam Smith (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2002). The Christian Century 121/6 (March 23, 2004): 24-27.
- “Thinking Globally: Making Sense of a Shrinking World.” Review of Robert Gilpin, Global Political Economy (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001), Max Stackhouse and Associates, God and Globalization, Volumes I and II (Trinity Press International, 2000/2001). The Christian Century 118/34 (December 12, 2001): 14-17.
- “Economic Goods: Making Moral Sense of the Market.” Review of Charles E. Lindblom, The Market System (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001) and Amartya Sen, Development as Freedom (New York: Knopf, 1999). The Christian Century 118/27 (October 10, 2001): 20-23.
- Review of Glen Stassen, ed., Just Peacemaking: Ten Practices for Abolishing War (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 1998). Religious Studies Review 25/3 (July 1999): 278.
- Review of Daniel Rush Finn, Just Trading: On the Ethics and Economics of International Trade (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996). Religious Studies Review 24/3 (July 1998): 280.
- “Christianity and the Tangled Web of Capitalism.” Review of Paige Smith, Rediscovering Christianity: A History of Modern Democracy and the Christian Ethic (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1994). Religion and Values in Public Life 3/1 (fall 1994): 7-8.
Opinion-Editorials
- Hicks, Douglas A. “How Should Christians Cope with ‘Christmas Wars’?” Washington Post “On Faith” forum, December 8, 2010
- “Mosque Controversy Showcases Failure to Lead American Public to Understanding,” Washington Post “On Leadership” forum, August 23, 2010.
- “Obama’s Moral Challenge in Haiti, Richmond Times-Dispatch, January 24, 2010.
- “Speech Should Be Free, But Not Cheap,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 31, 2009, E1.
- “President Can Welcome Religion in Public Life,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, January 18, 2009, E1.
- “Leadership in a Devout and Diverse City,” Richmond Magazine Online, December 24, 2008
- “Bill Maher’s Funny, But He’s Still a Fundamentalist,” Religion News Service, October 14, 2008. Reprinted by Richmond Times-Dispatch, Presbyterian Outlook, EthicsDaily.com.
- “Listen to What Candidates Say about Religion,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 12, 2007. Re-issued by Religion News Service, August 22, 2007.
- Wight, Jonathan B., and Douglas A. Hicks. “Disaster Relief: What Would Adam Smith Do?” The Christian Science Monitor January 18, 2005: 9. Reprinted in University of Richmond Alumni Magazine 67/3 (spring 2005): 48.
- Hicks, Douglas A. “We Should Celebrate Diversity—Not Christmas—on Company Time.” Fredericksburg (VA) Free Lance Star December 23, 2003: A9.
- “Let’s Pledge to Respect Differing Beliefs.” The Providence Journal July 6, 2002.
- “Workplace Understanding without Secret Santa.” The Providence Journal December 18, 2001.
- “What Public Role for Religion?” University of Richmond Alumni Magazine 63/4 (Summer 2001): 48.
- “Some Faith-Based Dangers” (letter to the editor). The Wall Street Journal February 27, 2001.
- “A Human Face for Economics.” Journal of Commerce October 27, 1998.
- and Charles E. Ratliff, Jr. “Serving the Other Charlotte.” Charlotte Observer October 26, 1990, 15A.