09/26/2022
Meet Jenn Louie, MRPL '23 Candidate
If you’re wondering how religion and science connect, just ask Jenn Louie!
Jenn has lived in Hawaii, California, and NYC before settling in Somerville to pursue a Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at HDS. Through this program, she aims to discover how our ethics and morals are formed in order to innovate methods that can heal injustices in the technology industry.
“I don't identify as religious and wasn't raised with a religious affiliation or education. However, I believe there is wisdom in the study of religion in order to cultivate stronger moral leadership that will help my industry contend with the immense human suffering those in my field witness in our work.”
Read the full post on Harvard Divinity School, part of the series.
If you’re wondering how religion and science connect, just ask Jenn Louie!
Jenn has lived in Hawaii, California and NYC before settling in Somerville to pursue a Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at HDS. Through this program, she aims to discover how our ethics and morals are formed in order to innovate methods that can heal injustices in the technology industry.
“I don't identify as religious and wasn't raised with a religious affiliation or education. However, I believe there is wisdom in the study of religion in order to cultivate stronger moral leadership that will help my industry contend with the immense human suffering those in my field witness in our work.”
She has led teams at Facebook, Google and Meetup, where she was investigating the “underbelly of the internet” and worked to protect platform users from fraud, terrorism, misinformation and other violent acts. She has also spoken at SXSW, IDEO, and Techweek NYC about online risk and tech policies.
Jenn began her journey at HDS last year as a Special Student and knew almost immediately that she would need more time to satisfy her intellectual curiosity.
“As a Special Student, I was grateful to have learned from Professors Diana Eck, Matthew Potts, and my advisor, Professor David Lamberth. They were incredibly generous with their time, and we would have several hour-long conversations about ethics, pluralism and faith."
She was so moved by the individuals she met in her program that she built a web app called the Spiritual Care Project that aims to improve access to interfaith spiritual care.
When asked, Jenn likes to say that ‘Acts of Service’ is one of her core love languages. Prior to attending HDS, she worked at the California Medical Assistance Team maintaining a field hospital at one of California's COVID epicenters.
In her spare time, Jenn loves to experience the outdoors.
“I love searching for the roads less traveled, convening with nature and discovering mermaid ponds (giant tidepools one can swim in). Growing up in northern California and living in Hawaii, I find the ocean restorative and coastal winds fortifying.”
