The extensive research of Heidi Ravven, professor of religious studies, on the relationship between the philosophy of the 12th century philosopher Moses Maimonides and that of the 17th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza is the subject of a chapter in a new book, Maimonides and Spinoza: Their Conflicting Views of Human Nature (University of Chicago, 2012) by Joshua Parens.

At the invitation of Professor Ursula Goldbaum, Heidi M. Ravven, professor of religious studies, was appointed to a dissertation committee of the Philosophy Department of Emory University.  Ravven evaluated the dissertation, "Determinism, Freedom, and Ethics: Spinozistic Interventions in the Contemporary Discussions of Responsibility" of Christopher Ryszard Kluz, for the Ph.D. in philosophy.

Professor of Religious Studies Heidi M. Ravven gave an extended introduction of renowned neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp at his lecture to the Psychiatry Department and the Psychoanalytic Interest Group of Upstate Medical University on Sept. 14 in Syracuse, N.Y.

Heidi M. Ravven, professor of religious studies, gave an invited paper at the symposium, Spinoza: Feminist Perspectives/Aspects of Embodiment: The Madeline Renee Turkeltaub Memorial Symposium on Ethics on Feb. 7 at American University.