Professor Fifield completed his Ph.D. in the Study of Religion at Harvard University with a dissertation on Buddhist monastic ethics in a corpus of canonical texts written in Sanskrit. His research focuses on the intersection of text, practice, and critical theory. His current project examines care for the sick and dying in Buddhist monasteries of South and Southeast Asia, incorporating critical theory from Disability Studies to analyze how disability manifests in the Buddhist monastic context.

Professor Fifield attended a small liberal arts college in Michigan much like Trinity, where he learned the value of small classes, constructive debate, and a teaching environment that encourages student-directed learning. He believes that the classroom is a space for students to explore their interests, learn what they care about most, and develop the skills to pursue positive change in the world.