
Elaine Craddock
Professor of Religion
Expertise
Hinduism; Feminism and Religion; Tamil literature; Religion and the Body
Elaine Craddock received her MA and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
Led by dedicated faculty, top-notch career services, and a vibrant campus community, Southwestern University has again earned recognition as one of the top institutions in the country.
more informationProfessor of Communication Studies Bob Bednar led five students deep into the Houston Methodist Hospital system to analyze organizational communication at one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems.
more informationAs perspectives surrounding higher education shift, Southwestern University is doubling down on the impact and value of a liberal arts education.
more informationSince the launch of the Thrive campaign in 2018, the Southwestern community has donated over $160 million to elevate student success, enhance academic excellence, and transform the campus.
more informationIn the true spirit of Paideia, physics and computer science students put their heads together to complete two different research objectives.
more informationLearn more about the legacy of Southwestern University’s first female registrar through a series of letters between Pearl Alma Neas, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and Lady Bird Johnson.
more informationNationwide education services company honors Southwestern University as a 2025 “Best Value College.”
more informationSU recognized as one of the top student-centered undergraduate universities in the nation, anchored by strong career development, business, and education programs.
more informationIncoming students and families had their first chance to experience life at Southwestern during Sprog orientation sessions this summer.
more informationA pair of first-year biochemistry majors designed their own experiment aimed at increasing certain chemical compounds produced by spinach plants using different types of fertilizers.
more informationLed by dedicated faculty, top-notch career services, and a vibrant campus community, Southwestern University has again earned recognition as one of the top institutions in the country.
more informationProfessor of Communication Studies Bob Bednar led five students deep into the Houston Methodist Hospital system to analyze organizational communication at one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems.
more informationAs perspectives surrounding higher education shift, Southwestern University is doubling down on the impact and value of a liberal arts education.
more informationSince the launch of the Thrive campaign in 2018, the Southwestern community has donated over $160 million to elevate student success, enhance academic excellence, and transform the campus.
more informationIn the true spirit of Paideia, physics and computer science students put their heads together to complete two different research objectives.
more informationLearn more about the legacy of Southwestern University’s first female registrar through a series of letters between Pearl Alma Neas, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and Lady Bird Johnson.
more informationNationwide education services company honors Southwestern University as a 2025 “Best Value College.”
more informationSU recognized as one of the top student-centered undergraduate universities in the nation, anchored by strong career development, business, and education programs.
more informationIncoming students and families had their first chance to experience life at Southwestern during Sprog orientation sessions this summer.
more informationA pair of first-year biochemistry majors designed their own experiment aimed at increasing certain chemical compounds produced by spinach plants using different types of fertilizers.
more informationLed by dedicated faculty, top-notch career services, and a vibrant campus community, Southwestern University has again earned recognition as one of the top institutions in the country.
more informationProfessor of Communication Studies Bob Bednar led five students deep into the Houston Methodist Hospital system to analyze organizational communication at one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems.
more informationAs perspectives surrounding higher education shift, Southwestern University is doubling down on the impact and value of a liberal arts education.
more informationSince the launch of the Thrive campaign in 2018, the Southwestern community has donated over $160 million to elevate student success, enhance academic excellence, and transform the campus.
more informationIn the true spirit of Paideia, physics and computer science students put their heads together to complete two different research objectives.
more informationNationwide education services company honors Southwestern University as a 2025 “Best Value College.”
more informationSU recognized as one of the top student-centered undergraduate universities in the nation, anchored by strong career development, business, and education programs.
more informationIncoming students and families had their first chance to experience life at Southwestern during Sprog orientation sessions this summer.
more informationA pair of first-year biochemistry majors designed their own experiment aimed at increasing certain chemical compounds produced by spinach plants using different types of fertilizers.
more informationTrustee Brent Austin has encouraged the Southwestern community to match his $500,000 gift and push the University closer to reaching its fundraising goal for the new facility.
more informationLed by dedicated faculty, top-notch career services, and a vibrant campus community, Southwestern University has again earned recognition as one of the top institutions in the country.
more informationProfessor of Communication Studies Bob Bednar led five students deep into the Houston Methodist Hospital system to analyze organizational communication at one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems.
more informationAs perspectives surrounding higher education shift, Southwestern University is doubling down on the impact and value of a liberal arts education.
more informationSince the launch of the Thrive campaign in 2018, the Southwestern community has donated over $160 million to elevate student success, enhance academic excellence, and transform the campus.
more informationIn the true spirit of Paideia, physics and computer science students put their heads together to complete two different research objectives.
more informationLearn more about the legacy of Southwestern University’s first female registrar through a series of letters between Pearl Alma Neas, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and Lady Bird Johnson.
more informationNationwide education services company honors Southwestern University as a 2025 “Best Value College.”
more informationSU recognized as one of the top student-centered undergraduate universities in the nation, anchored by strong career development, business, and education programs.
more informationIncoming students and families had their first chance to experience life at Southwestern during Sprog orientation sessions this summer.
more informationA pair of first-year biochemistry majors designed their own experiment aimed at increasing certain chemical compounds produced by spinach plants using different types of fertilizers.
more informationLed by dedicated faculty, top-notch career services, and a vibrant campus community, Southwestern University has again earned recognition as one of the top institutions in the country.
more informationProfessor of Communication Studies Bob Bednar led five students deep into the Houston Methodist Hospital system to analyze organizational communication at one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems.
more informationAs perspectives surrounding higher education shift, Southwestern University is doubling down on the impact and value of a liberal arts education.
more informationSince the launch of the Thrive campaign in 2018, the Southwestern community has donated over $160 million to elevate student success, enhance academic excellence, and transform the campus.
more informationIn the true spirit of Paideia, physics and computer science students put their heads together to complete two different research objectives.
more informationLearn more about the legacy of Southwestern University’s first female registrar through a series of letters between Pearl Alma Neas, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and Lady Bird Johnson.
more informationNationwide education services company honors Southwestern University as a 2025 “Best Value College.”
more informationSU recognized as one of the top student-centered undergraduate universities in the nation, anchored by strong career development, business, and education programs.
more informationTrustee Brent Austin has encouraged the Southwestern community to match his $500,000 gift and push the University closer to reaching its fundraising goal for the new facility.
more informationBy embracing the support system on campus and the resources available through Southwestern’s liberal arts education, first-generation student Fernando Cruz-Rivera ’26 has put himself on track to a successful career in government.
more informationExpertise
Hinduism; Feminism and Religion; Tamil literature; Religion and the Body
Elaine Craddock received her MA and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
Hinduism in South India, particularly Tamil Śaivism and Tamil Hindu goddess worship. Religious and social practices of thirunangai/transgender communities in Tamil Nadu.
Selected publications:
“Goddess Worship and Bhakti.” In Oxford Bibliographies in Hinduism. Ed. Tracy Coleman. New York: Oxford University Press, forthcoming.
“Kālī Dances Into the Cremation Grounds of the Tamil Land.” In Regional Communities of Devotion in South Asia: Insiders, Outsiders, and Interlopers, edited by Gil Ben-Herut, Jon Keune, and Anne Monius. New York: Routledge, 2020.
“Recalibrating (Field)work.” QED: A Journal of GLBTQ Worldmaking, Vol. 5, No. 3, Fall 2018: 100-116. Included in the Queer Forum on Navigating Normativity Between Field and Academe in India, edited by Jeff Roy.
“Māriyammaṉ.” Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Hinduism and Tribal Religions, edited by Pankaj Jain, Rita Sherma, and Madhu Khanna. Dordrecht: Springer, June 30, 2018.
“The Half Male, Half Female Servants of the Goddess Aṅkāḷaparamēcuvari.” Nidan: International Journal for the Study of Hinduism, Vol. 24, December 2012: 117-135.
Siva’s Demon Devotee: Karaikkal Ammaiyar; SUNY Press, 2010.
“Karaikkal Ammaiyar: Bridging the Cankam and Saiva Worlds.” In Affinities and Oppositions: Relationship between Tamil and Sanskrit, edited by Kannan M and Jennifer Clare. French Institute, Pondicherry and the Tamil Chair at the University of California, Berkeley, 2009.
“The Anatomy of Devotion: The Life and Poetry of Karaikkal Ammaiyar.” In Beyond the Circle: Women’s Rituals, Women’s Lives in Hindu Traditions, edited by Tracy Pintchman. Oxford University Press, 2007.
“Reconstructing the Split Goddess as Shakti in a Tamil Village.” In Seeking Mahadevi:Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess, edited by Tracy Pintchman. New York: SUNY, 2001.
Elaine Craddock received her MA and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
Hinduism in South India, particularly Tamil Śaivism and Tamil Hindu goddess worship. Religious and social practices of thirunangai/transgender communities in Tamil Nadu.
Selected publications:
“Goddess Worship and Bhakti.” In Oxford Bibliographies in Hinduism. Ed. Tracy Coleman. New York: Oxford University Press, forthcoming.
“Kālī Dances Into the Cremation Grounds of the Tamil Land.” In Regional Communities of Devotion in South Asia: Insiders, Outsiders, and Interlopers, edited by Gil Ben-Herut, Jon Keune, and Anne Monius. New York: Routledge, 2020.
“Recalibrating (Field)work.” QED: A Journal of GLBTQ Worldmaking, Vol. 5, No. 3, Fall 2018: 100-116. Included in the Queer Forum on Navigating Normativity Between Field and Academe in India, edited by Jeff Roy.
“Māriyammaṉ.” Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Hinduism and Tribal Religions, edited by Pankaj Jain, Rita Sherma, and Madhu Khanna. Dordrecht: Springer, June 30, 2018.
“The Half Male, Half Female Servants of the Goddess Aṅkāḷaparamēcuvari.” Nidan: International Journal for the Study of Hinduism, Vol. 24, December 2012: 117-135.
Siva’s Demon Devotee: Karaikkal Ammaiyar; SUNY Press, 2010.
“Karaikkal Ammaiyar: Bridging the Cankam and Saiva Worlds.” In Affinities and Oppositions: Relationship between Tamil and Sanskrit, edited by Kannan M and Jennifer Clare. French Institute, Pondicherry and the Tamil Chair at the University of California, Berkeley, 2009.
“The Anatomy of Devotion: The Life and Poetry of Karaikkal Ammaiyar.” In Beyond the Circle: Women’s Rituals, Women’s Lives in Hindu Traditions, edited by Tracy Pintchman. Oxford University Press, 2007.
“Reconstructing the Split Goddess as Shakti in a Tamil Village.” In Seeking Mahadevi:Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess, edited by Tracy Pintchman. New York: SUNY, 2001.