Author Archives: Jim

In Memoriam: Professor Gary Bouma, MDiv, MA, PhD, AM (1942-2021)

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Dear Colleagues:
We are saddened by the news that Gary Bouma died at his home in Melbourne last Thursday morning, 19 August, in the company of his wife, Patricia. He was 79. After falling and breaking his leg in February, when he was otherwise fit and well, Gary experienced a number of debilitating medical conditions and, in the midst of all that, the death of his beloved son.

Gary was a long-time participant in international sociology and a leader in the sociology of religion in Australia.  His massive academic legacy includes over 30 books and 360 articles—with many still forthcoming. His most recent book, authored by Andrew Singleton, Anna Halafoff, Mary Lou Rasmussen and Gary, on Freedoms, Faiths and Futures: Teenage Australians on Religion, Sexuality and Diversity, arising from an ARC Discovery Project, was published in April this year. As well as landmark works on the sociology of Australian religion, including Australian Soul, he reshaped Australian understanding of religion in numerous areas including interreligious understanding, human rights, religion and youth, education and public policy. His work reached far beyond the academy, with notable policy work including the Human Rights Commission’s 2011 inquiry into Freedom of Religion and Belief in 21st Century Australia; chairing the Board of Directors for The Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2009; and numerous interventions in public debate in areas such as religious diversity, gender and sexuality, Islamophobia and the place of religion in schools.

Gary came to Australia in 1979, joining Monash University, where he remained for the next 42 years, becoming Emeritus Professor in 2008, after serving in numerous roles including Professor of Sociology, DVC Research, and Head of School. In 2005, he was appointed UNESCO Chair in Inter-Cultural and Inter-Religious Relations. He led the Australian node of the University of Ottawa-based Religion and Diversity Project, and was a leading figure in other distinguished national and international research collaborations. In 2013, he was awarded AM for services to Sociology, to interreligious relations and to the Anglican Church of Australia.

He was also an ordained minister in the Anglican church and at the time of his death was Honorary Assistant Priest at St Johns, East Malvern.

Gary’s funeral will be on Thursday, 26 August at 11:00 am AEST (that is 9:00 pm Wednesday, 25 August US EST) and will be live-streamed. The State of Victoria’s COVID regulations currently restrict the number of people attending funerals to ten, plus those required for the conduct of the funeral.  The link to the funeral is https://www.selwynallenfunerals.com.au/upcoming-services . Scroll down to find Gary.

Waikato Islamic Studies Review – Call for Papers

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Waikato Islamic Studies Review – Call for Papers  : http://www.waikato.ac.nz/fass/UWISG/review.shtml

On behalf of the University of Waikato Islamic Studies Group, I warmly invite submissions of papers which examine Islam in the widest sense to the Waikato Islamic Studies Review for publication consideration.

Articles can be as short as 2000 words and up to a maximum of 5000. For full details regarding paper guidelines and submissions and the Waikato Islamic Studies Review please see:http://www.waikato.ac.nz/fass/UWISG/review.shtml

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me asap if you think that you might like your work considered; the next edition is due for publication in September or November 2021. 

Kind regards,

Abdullah Drury
Editor: Waikato Islamic Studies Review
Email: abdullah@xtra.co.nz

Dissertation Scholarships at the Centre for Trust, Peace, & Social Relations–Deadline 26 July

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The Aziz Foundation is offering 9 scholarships to study at the brilliant Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations where I work.  I would be delighted to mentor future Aziz Scholars.

Three more days to deadline for applications.  Peace Studies is a wide discipline, which has significant overlaps with British Muslim Studies. I would be keen to see dissertation proposals on marginalisation, Islamophobia, Human Rights, inter-religious relations, parliamentary lobbying, social activism and unheard voices.

Study Peace and make a difference. Details here: https://www.azizfoundation.org.uk/2021/01/scholarships-application-cycle-open-for-2021-22/

Please share this widely – only 3 more days to the deadline – 26th July 2021

I hope to see your applications

With best wishes and thanks
Sariya

Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor
Associate Professor | Research Group Lead | Faith and Peaceful Relations

Call for Papers: Religion, Politics, and Uncertainty (ISA-RC22 Mid Term Conference, Nov 11-14 2021)

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Religion, Politics, and Uncertainty:
Shifting Boundaries
ISA RC22 Mid-Term Conference

Dear Colleagues,
ISA RC22 mid-term conference Religion, Politics, and Uncertainty: Shifting Boundaries will take place on November 11-14, 2021, in Vilnius, Lithuania as a hybrid event (live & virtual). This is an invitation for sociologists of religion and scholars of religion of other disciplines throughout the world.
Please, find all the information on the Conference Website www.isarc-22vilnius.com, and submit your abstract presentation through it by September 1, 2021.

We appreciate your support to share this call for papers in your social networks and any groups that may be interested.

See you in Vilnius!
Cecilia Delgado-Molina
Secretary-Treasurer ISA RC22

PPRI Public Fellowships

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PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute), a Washington, DC-based non-profit, non-partisan research organization focused on the intersection of religion, politics and culture, is seeking a diverse cohort of 16 PRRI Public Fellows who are engaged in public scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year. The non-residential, 10-month renewable fellowship includes a $5,000 annual stipend, access to additional funding for course buyouts, and four annual microgrants of $12,000 each for new interdisciplinary scholarly projects within the cohort. 

PRRI will select four Public Fellows from each of the following areas of scholarship that align with the organization’s ongoing research: religious, racial, and ethnic pluralism; racial justice; immigration and migration studies; and LGBTQ rights. Additional information is available on PRRI’s website at https://www.prri.org/about/careers/, or by contacting public.fellows@prri.org. Applications are due by July 31, 2021; forwarding this information to your academic networks is appreciated.

CFP: “Religion and Public Health Threats in the 21st Century”

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CALL FOR PAPERS

Religions Special Issue: “Religion and Public Health Threats in the 21st Century”

The focus of this issue is on the role of religion in addressing public health threats plaguing societies in the 21st century. Past books or edited volumes provide overviews of religion as a social determinant of public health; scientific evidence of the religion–health link; spirituality’s role in medicine; and religion connections with specific health areas (e.g., mental health, adolescent health). This volume will emphasize religion connections to key public health challenges in the last two decades, including but not limited to the current COVID-19 crisis. NOTE: Invited papers will be published free of charge. Read more here

Magdalena Szaflarski, Ph.D. | Associate Professor
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Sociology
UAB | The University of Alabama at Birmingham
szaflam@uab.edu

SocRel conference details–13-15 July (online)

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Dear colleagues,

Hope everyone is keeping well. I just wanted to circulate the programme overview for our socrel annual conference, taking place between 13-15th July (online/zoom). The full programme (with abstracts and zoom link) will be circulated to registered delegates later this week, but for those who aren’t registered, this link provides some detail on what to expect at this year’s annual conference: https://bit.ly/3qwTqCZ

Also, the conference registration deadline will be extended by one week, so do ignore the 30th June deadline.

Conference rates are as follows:

  • · BSA Member Full Conference: £20
  • · SocRel Study Group Member Full Conference: £25
  • · Non-Member Full Conference: £40

Please follow this link to register for the conference https://bit.ly/3ftsDn3

If you have any questions or queries, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Dr Rachael Shillitoe, Research Fellow
Conference and Events Officer for the British Sociological Association, Sociology of Religion Group (SocRel)
School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston, Birmingham
B15 2TT

3 positions in Race, Class, Gender, & Religion

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University of Chicago Divinity School

Three open posts for specialists in race, class, gender, & religion

  1. Assistant Professor, Tenure Track – application link: apply.interfolio.com/89120
  2. Associate or Full Professor, Tenured – application link: apply.interfolio.com/89122
  3. Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow, Tenure Track – application link: apply.interfolio.com/89116

Job Descriptions:

The University of Chicago Divinity School invites applications for the above position from scholars whose work brings together race and religion, for an appointment date of July 1, 2022.  We understand both of these terms, race and religion, capaciously and are open to work across methods, disciplines, periods, and geographies. Candidates are expected to have the interest and ability to engage in interdisciplinary conversations with other scholars of religion and in other fields and areas within the University.

The Divinity School is the graduate professional school for the academic study of religion at the University of Chicago, a private research university. Faculty in the School teach graduate students in its Ph.D., M.A., M.Div., and A.M.R.S. programs; and undergraduates in the College. Many members of the faculty hold associate appointments in humanities or social science departments and professional schools of the University.

Candidates must hold the Ph.D. by the time of appointment.

The Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow position will appointed at the rank of Instructor for an initial two-year period to start July 1, 2022. This initial period is intended to serve in lieu of a postdoctoral appointment. Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellows will teach one class/year, receive research support, join a cohort of Fellows, and participate in programming designed to support them as they prepare for a review for promotion to Assistant Professor at the end of their two-year term.

Review of applications for all three positions will begin September 15, 2021 and will continue until the position(s) is/are filled or the search is closed.  Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter, 2) a curriculum vita, 3) a teaching statement, 4) syllabi, 5) a statement articulating future research agenda, 6) a writing sample of 25-40 pages, and 7) three letters of reference. Reference letter submission information will be provided during the application process. Applications should be made online, at one of the Interfolio links above.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-1032 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

Employer Description:

The Divinity School is the graduate professional school for the academic study of religion at the University of Chicago, a private research university. Faculty in the School teach graduate students in its Ph.D., M.A., M.Div., and A.M.R.S. programs; and undergraduates in the College. Many members of the faculty hold associate appointments in humanities or social science departments and professional schools of the University.

Contact: Sara Bigger – sfbigger@uchicago.edu

Webinar on Roberto Cipriani’s new volume–Saturday April 17, 2021

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sabato 17 aprile 2021 (ore 10:00-12:00) proseguirà il ciclo di webinars di presentazione e discussione delle pubblicazioni relative alla ricerca sulla Religiosità in Italia.

Il secondo webinar sarà dedicato al volume di Roberto Cipriani, L’incerta fede. Un’indagine quanti-qualitativa in Italia (FrancoAngeli) e vedrà la partecipazione di Enzo Pace, Maria Carmela Agodi, Costantino Cipolla e Marco Marzano.

Per partecipare: https://bit.ly/3mohmqa

La registrazione del precedente webinar si può trovare qui: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BACkvaB-UNM

Cordiali saluti,
La Segreteria Organizzativa
Ricerca sulla Religiosità in Italia

——————————————————————————————— 

Dear Colleague,

On Saturday 17 April 2021 (10:00-12:00) the cycle of webinars for the presentation and discussion of publications relating to research on Religiosity in Italy will continue.

The second webinar will be dedicated to Roberto Cipriani’s volume, L’incerta fede. Un’indagine quanti-qualitativa in Italia (FrancoAngeli) and will see the participation of Enzo Pace, Maria Carmela Agodi, Costantino Cipolla and Marco Marzano.

To participate: https://bit.ly/3mohmqa

The recording of the previous webinar can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BACkvaB-UNM

Kind regards,
the Organising Secretariat
Research on Religiosity in Italy
Religiosità in Italia

Documentaire: Mémoires de missionnaires catholiques en Amérique latine.

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Le Centre de recherche Société, Droit et Religions de l’Université de Sherbrooke (SoDRUS) vous invite à la projection du documentaire du Professeur Maurice Demers, qui aura lieu le vendredi 16 avril 2021. 

Mémoires de missionnaires catholiques en Amérique latine. Militance et droits humains pendant la guerre froide

Date : 16 avril 2021
Heure : 10h

Lieu : Centre judiciaire, Faculté de droit, local A9-130
Diffusion simultanée sur Zoom (lien ci-dessous)

L’arrivée de près de deux mille missionnaires catholiques canadiens en Amérique latine dans les années 1960 a transformé l’Église missionnaire au Québec; l’institution les représentants, l’Entraide missionnaire, s’alignant progressivement sur la Théologie de la libération qui prônait une plus grande justice pour les populations marginalisées et appauvries comme la plupart de ceux et celles qui sont allés en Amérique latine, une politisation du missionnariat qui a causé bien des remous au sein des communautés religieuses. Ce documentaire donne la parole à ces missionnaires qui ont œuvré en faveur des droits de la personne.

Inscription obligatoire, 35 places disponibles. Envoyez votre demande d’inscription à l’adresse suivante : sodrus@usherbrooke.ca.

Merci de diffuser l’information dans vos réseaux.

Au plaisir de vous y voir,
Raphaël Mathieu Legault-Laberge, Ph.D.
Coordonnateur et chercheur partenaire au SoDRUS