William T. Cavanaugh (born 1962) is an American Catholic theologian known for his work in political theology and Christian ethics.

He later attended Duke University, where he received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in religion in 1996.

His areas of specialization are in political theology, economic ethics, and ecclesiology.

[5] In 2010, he was appointed to DePaul University, where he is currently professor of Catholic studies and director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, a center studying the Catholic Church in the Global South.

[4][7] Along with Jim Fodor, Cavanaugh is an editor of the journal Modern Theology.