Allen Hansen

Portrait of Allen Hansen

Allen Hansen was raised in northern Israel within the LDS faith, an experience that has profoundly shaped his academic and personal interests. His interdisciplinary scholarship spans a wide range of subjects, reflecting his diverse background and intellectual curiosity.

Hansen’s research interests are particularly focused on the intersection of Mormonism, Judaism, and Biblical studies, with a keen interest in late antiquity. He also has scholarly interests in journalism, as well as Eastern European and Middle Eastern studies. This breadth allows him to explore unique connections between seemingly disparate fields.

Hansen also brings a practical dimension to his scholarship through interests in business management and positive psychology, both of which he frames through the lens of Zion — exploring how organizational design and individual well-being might serve a larger communal vision. This thread of his work aligns naturally with the Mormon Transhumanist Association's broader project of bridging faith and posthumanism.

Videos by Allen Hansen

Worship Through Corporeality: Mormonism, Hasidism, and Management
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Allen Hansen

Worship Through Corporeality: Mormonism, Hasidism, and Management

Allen Hansen explores the Hasidic concept of "worship through corporeality"—the idea that mundane acts can be sanctified and transformed into acts of devotion—drawing parallels with Latter-day Saint theology. He traces this doctrine through the legend of Enoch the shoemaker, who achieved exaltation by blessing God with every stitch, and connects it to similar themes in early Mormon thought under Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Hansen argues that both traditions collapse the sacred-secular divide, finding divine significance in daily labor and practical work, and suggests that modern management principles of autonomy, mastery, and purpose align with these religious ideals of meaningful engagement.