Lecturer I
Research Fellow in Religion and Peacebuilding
- MS, Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego
- BA, Modern Dance, Brigham Young University
Holly Burton is a Research Fellow in Religion and Peacebuilding and Lecturer at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. Her work focuses on interfaith peacebuilding, religious literacy and pluralism, conflict transformation, dialogue, mediation, restorative practices, and peace education.
At USD, Burton helped develop and co-teach the graduate course Religion, Conflict, and Peace, a field-based course examining religion’s complex role in both conflict and peacebuilding. The course connected students with religious leaders and communities throughout San Diego and integrated religious literacy, conflict analysis, interfaith dialogue, and applied peacebuilding practice. Her current work at the Kroc School builds on those relationships through the development of a Religion and Peacebuilding Initiative focused on strengthening connections among religious communities, students, the university, and the broader San Diego region.
An educator for more than two decades, Burton has taught in university, K–12, and community settings and brings extensive experience in curriculum development, experiential learning, arts integration, and student-centered teaching. She currently teaches Changemaking 101 at USD, incorporating peacebuilding, nonviolence, dignity, dialogue, conflict transformation, and restorative practices into undergraduate changemaking education.
Her interfaith experience includes work with the Arizona Faith Network and leadership with the Bolder Way Forward Interfaith Impact Team. She is also a trained community mediator with the National Conflict Resolution Center in San Diego.
Burton holds a MS in Conflict Management and Resolution from the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies and a BA in Modern Dance from Brigham Young University, where her academic studies also included religion, ancient scripture, and Hebrew.