Religion: Memory and Innovation

Summer school and Conference in Åbo/Turku, 12-15 June, 2023

Call for papers extended until 6 February, 2023

The aim is to bring together doctoral candidates and researchers from various academic fields that engage with the study of religion, such as theology, study of religions, history, philosophy, the arts, social and political sciences and other. We invite papers that engage with the theme of Religion: Memory and Innovation. See the full call for papers here.

Keynote speakers:

– Prof. Ruth Behar, University of Michigan, USA.

– Prof. Elias Bongmba, Rice University, USA.

– Prof. Siv Ellen Kraft, The Arctic University of Norway.

To apply, please send an abstract of approximately 150 words no later than 6 February, 2023. The submission link will shortly be added to the website. Letters of acceptance will be posted within February, 2023. Upon acceptance to the summer school, doctoral candidates will furthermore be asked to submit a 500-word synopsis of their research theme no later than 7 May, 2023. 

The summer school will consist of working groups, tutored by the keynote presenters and other academic teachers, where doctoral candidates are given the opportunity to present and discuss their ongoing PhD work in a cross-disciplinary, international setting. Postdoctoral and senior researchers will present their papers in the conference (14–15 June) following the summer school (12–13 June). Participants in the summer school are welcome to take part of the conference without conference papers. Additionally, thematic discussion groups open for all participants will be organized.

Selected papers from the conference will be published as a special issue of the peer-reviewed open-access journal Approaching Religion, published by the Donner Institute: https://journal.fi/ar. For further information, please see the conference website abo.fi/religionmemoryandinnovation.

The summer school is arranged as a joint venture between three different research bodies in Åbo/Turku:

– Centre for the Study of Christian Cultures (CSCC) at the University of Turku

– Polin Institute for Theological Research at Åbo Akademi University 

– Donner Institute for Research in Religion and Culture (DI).

 

Price: summer school 45€, conference fee 50€.

 

Inez and Julius Polin Institute for Theological Research was looking for a Conference Secretary for the Summer School and Conference “Religion: Memory and Innovation” June 12-15, 2023 organized by the Centre for the Study of Christian Cultures, the Donner Institute for Research in Religion and Culture, and the Inez and Julius Polin Institute for Theological Research. FM, PhD Candidare Essi Mäkelä was chosen for the position.

Below the position announcement:

Inez and Julius Polin Institute for Theological Research is looking for a Conference Secretary for the Summer School and Conference “Religion: Memory and Innovation” June 12-15, 2023 organized by the Centre for the Study of Christian Cultures, the Donner Institute for Research in Religion and Culture, and the Inez and Julius Polin Institute for Theological Research.

The Polin Institute is located at Åbo Akademi University at the Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology. The conference secretary works in close collaboration with the organization committee and in particular with the coordinator of the Polin Institute.

We are looking for a conference secretary with interest to work with the Polin Institute and with interest in theology / study of religions.

The employment is hourly based, with an estimation of about 300 hours in total during a time of eight months during autumn 2022 to August 2023. The working hours are flexible and according to agreement and will increase in May and June 2023 close to fulltime work. The salary is paid on an hourly basis. The placement of work is primarily in Turku / Åbo.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES 
The duties of the conference secretary include participating in the planning of the event, updating the webpage, working with E-lomake, e-mailing, organizing abstracts, and other duties in regard to the summer school and conference. The work is entirely done in Turku / Åbo closer to the event with possibility to distance work on agreement. Meetings during the eight months with the organizing committee are onsite.

COMPETENCE
The person we are primarily looking for is a student within the disciplines of theology, study of religions or related discipline relevant for the tasks.

To be able to manage the work well, you need to have excellent organizational skills, a sense of service, the ability to quickly learn new things, initiative, and good cooperation skills. Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English is a requirement, knowledge of Swedish, Finnish and other languages is a benefit. In addition, previous work experience and additional relevant skills are counted as a merit.

APPLICATION
Please send your application no later than September 22, 2022 at 3 pm. The application is submitted via Åbo Akademi University’s electronic application form for internal recruitment.

In the freely worded cover letter, you should state why you are applying for the job, your previous work experience and relevant skills. Please attach your CV as well. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
For additional information, please contact, Head of Research, Professor Mika Vähäkangas, phone +358 504733523, e-mail mika.vahakangas[a]abo.fi.

 

Religion and Cultural Change

The summer school and conference

(7–9 June, 2021)

Due to the changes of the dates of the event, the conference committee is opening an additional call for papers. The summer school and conference will take place 7–9 June 2021, however as an online event.

The aim is to bring together doctoral candidates and researchers from various academic fields that engage with the study of religion, such as theology, study of religions, history, philosophy, the arts, social and political sciences and other. We invite papers that engage with the theme of Religion and Cultural Change. See the full call for papers: http://blogs2.abo.fi/religionandculturalchange/call-for-papers-2/

Keynote speakers:

– Prof. Rebecca Catto, Kent State University, Ohio, USA.
– Prof. Anders Runesson, University of Oslo, Norway.
– Prof. Catharina Raudvere, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

To apply, please send an abstract of approximately 150 words no later than 30 January 2021. Letters of acceptance will be posted no later than 28 February 2021. Upon acceptance to the summer school, doctoral candidates will furthermore be asked to submit a 500-word synopsis of their research theme no later than 1 May 2021.

Please submit your paper proposal through this link: https://survey.abo.fi/lomakkeet/13032/lomake.html

The summer school will consist of working groups, tutored by the keynote presenters and other academic teachers, where doctoral candidates are given the opportunity to present and discuss their ongoing PhD work in a cross-disciplinary, international setting. Postdoctoral and senior researchers will present their papers in sessions running parallel to the summer school. Additionally, thematic discussion groups, of academic publishing, open access and more, open for all participants will be organized.

Selected papers from the conference will be published as a special issue of the peer-reviewed open-access journal Approaching Religion, published by the Donner Institute: https://journal.fi/ar. For further information, please see the conference website.

The summer school is arranged as a joint venture between three different research bodies in Åbo/Turku:

– Centre for the Study of Christian Cultures (CSCC) at the University of Turku,
– Polin Institute for Theological Research at Åbo Akademi University
– Donner Institute for Research in Religion and Culture (DI).

Price: a nominal fee of 10 €.

Best regards,
Ilona Silvola
Conference secretary
”Religion and Cultural Change” summer school and conference: www.abo.fi/rcc

Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus the Religion and Cultural Change conference and summer school will be postponed to June 7-9.2021.

For further, and updated information, please visit the conference website.

 

 

Religion and Cultural Change

Summerschool and Conference in Turku, 8–10 June 2020   7-9.6.2021

Please observe that due to the outbreak of the Corona virus, the summer school/conference has been postponed to the summer of 2021.

Call for Papers

The aim of this summer school and conference is to bring together doctoral candidates and postdoc researchers from various academic fields that engage with the study of religion, such as theology, religious studies, history, philosophy, the arts, social and political sciences and other. We invite papers that engage with the theme Religion and Cultural Change from both historical and contemporary perspectives, also looking to the future where possible. We understand cultural change both as dramatic breaking points in history and as slowly evolving transformations and will address past, present and emerging trends and trajectories within culture, society and the scholarly community. The societal relevance and impact of our research is also an important theme.

Programme

The summer school will consist of working groups, tutored by the keynote presenters and other academic teachers, where doctoral candidates are given the opportunity to present and discuss their ongoing PhD work in a cross-disciplinary, international setting. Postdoc researchers will present their papers in sessions running parallel to the summer school. Thematic groups and working groups dealing with particular theories or methodologies may also be held. The event will take place between 8–10 June, 2020  7-9.6.2021. Check out more (and the most up-to-date) information at the conference website.

To apply

To apply, please send an abstract of approximately 150 words to cscc@utu.fi no later than 15 January, 2020. Letters of acceptance will be posted no later than 15 February, 2020. Upon acceptance to the summer school, doctoral candidates will furthermore be asked to submit a 500-word synopsis of their research theme no later than 1 May, 2020. Be sure to visit the conference website for the most up-to-date information before you submit the abstract.

Arranged by

The summer school is arranged as a joint venture between three different research bodies in Åbo/Turku: the Centre for the Study of Christian Cultures (CSCC) at the University of Turku, the Polin Institute for Theological Research at Åbo Akademi University and the Donner Institute for Research in Religion and Culture (DI).