Renate Thelma Howe AM (born 1939) is an Australian academic and historian. Her research and writing focuses on Australian social, urban and religious history. Howe was born in Melbourne, Victoria in 1939. She was educated at East Kew State School and University High School, matriculating in 1956. Her tertiary education included a BA from the University of Melbourne and further studies at University of Chicago. During her student years she was active in the Student Christian Movement and the ALP Club. She also spent two years on the Students' Representative Council. She was awarded a PhD in 1972.