Research in Religion is a one-day interdisciplinary conference, organised by the University of Edinburgh and Queen’s University Belfast. It seeks to bring together postgraduate students and early career scholars based in Scottish and Irish institutions, who research any aspect of religion and religious culture (whether in Scotland, Ireland or the wider world). Through a range of papers and panels, it will explore the impact of religion in various local, national and international contexts, and will create a space for networking and the exchange of ideas in a lively and friendly environment.

Religion continues to serve as a central factor in shaping societies, cultures and national institutions. It has brought communities together and torn others apart; religious belief is something that connects people across the world and yet at the same time remains deeply personal and individual. While religion has always been a subject of academic enquiry, recent scholarship in a variety of fields has encouraged new approaches to the study of religion, increasing our understanding of ancient, classical and contemporary religions and belief.

Proposals are invited for twenty-minute papers or panels of up to three speakers from postgraduates and early-career researchers currently based in Scottish or Irish research institutions who are working on any aspect of religion. Studies of ‘religion’ can encompass theological, philosophical, historical, literary, classical, artistic, musical, architectural, legal, geographical, cultural, anthropological and sociological perspectives. We would be particularly interested in papers that cover one or more of the following themes:

• Religious networks – international and transnational
• Religion and gender
• Minority experiences of religion
• Inter- and intra-religious conflict, tolerance and co-existence
• The relationship between religion and national institutions
• Religion and secularisation
• Encounters between religions
• Representations of religion and religious belief – sacred and profane
• Religion and identity formation
• Atheism and agnosticism

Abstracts of 250–300 words along with a brief biographical note (150 words) should be sent to researchinreligion2018@gmail.com. The deadline for abstracts is Tuesday, 31 July 2018.

This conference is generously funded by alumni and friends through an Innovative Initiative Grant from the University of Edinburgh, and Logia, University of St Andrews. A limited number of bursaries will be available for speakers to cover travel and accommodation costs.

For more information and updates, see our website