She graduated with her PhD in religion from Duke University in 2011. Erin has received several awards, including an NEH fellowship, supporting her research in Jordan, Cyprus, Syria, and Israel. She is an expert in the Hebrew Bible, ancient Near Eastern archaeology, and ancient Mediterranean religions. Her book, Interpreting Judean Pillar Figurines (Mohr Siebeck 2014), draws upon her knowledge of female figurines across the region. Erin is also the co-director of the ‘Ayn Gharandal Archaeological Project in southern Jordan and leads the UT Dig Jordan study abroad program. Since coming to UT, she is one of the founding members of the Partnership for the Academic Study of Early Judaism, the East Tennessee Hebrew Reading Group, the Annual Arab Cultural Fair, and the Tennessee Initiative for Middle Eastern Studies.