***Apologies for cross-posting***

Sociology of Religion Study Group (SocRel)

Annual Conference 2017

Wednesday 12^th July – Friday 14^th July 2017

University of Leeds

On the Edge? Centres and Margins in the Sociology of Religion

Keynote Speakers:

Professor Bryan Turner (City University of New York)

Professor Kim Knott (University of Lancaster)

Professor Philip Mellor (University of Leeds)

Professor Sarah Bracke (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Professor Nasar Meer (Strathclyde University)

Conference registration: https://portal.britsoc.co.uk/public/event/eventBooking.aspx?id=EVT10612

The Sociology of Religion, as a distinct sub-discipline, has had a complex relationship with ‘mainstream’ sociology including experiencing periods of centrality and marginalisation. Beginning as a chief concern of the founding fathers of the discipline, but later relegated to almost insignificance until the so-called ‘resurgence of religion’, these changing fortunes have contributed directly to scholarship that can be dynamic, multi-faceted and responsive. In our search to understand the roles for religion in contemporary society, as scholars we frequently draw on multi-disciplinary methodologies and share a disciplinary platform with geography, politics, social policy, theology, anthropology, history and literature, to name but a few.  But where does this leave the sociology of religion as a distinct discipline?

The purpose of this conference is to investigate the boundaries and borders of sociologies of religion in an expansive and inclusive way. We want to ask, what do the centres of the sociology of religion look like in the 21st Century, and where are the margins and borders? Where are the new, and innovative subjects, methodologies and collaborations in our subject and how are they shaping the discipline?  How well do Sociologies of Religion intersect with other sociologies, such as of class, migration, ethnicity, sexuality and gender, and what are the effects? What about the geographical centres and margins of this historically Western-orientated sub-discipline, in our ever-changing world characterised by postcoloniality, globalisation and transnationalism? To what extent have any alternative Sociologies of Religion from the "edge", to use a term proposed by Bender et al (2013), re-interpreted or re-configured the concerns of the centre? Importantly, what light does the Sociology of Religion shed on the more general study of centres and margins in religious and social settings/institutions and identities/subjectivities? Ultimately we want to question where these expansive and multi-directional boundaries leave us as ‘sociologists of religion’ and as a distinct study group and highlight the challenges and the opportunities. 

We invite you to engage in these conference questions from your particular area of research.

To deliver a paper, please send an abstract of no more than 250 words, alongside a biographical note of no more than 50 words. We will also be accepting a limited number of panel proposals. To deliver a panel, please send an abstract of no more than 500 words alongside a biographical note of no more than 50 words for each contributor. 

Please send abstracts to the attention of the conference organizers: Dr Caroline Starkey (University of Leeds) and Dr Jasjit Singh (University of Leeds) at socrel2017@PROTECTED

Abstracts must be submitted by 9^th December 2016.

Conference Bursaries:

A limited number of bursaries are available to support postgraduate, early career, low income or unwaged SocRel members to present at the conference. Please visit http://socrel.org.uk/socrel-annual-bursary-scheme/for instructions, and to download an application form, and submit your bursary application along with your abstract by 9^th December 2016.

All presenters must be members of SocRel.

Selected authors will be asked to contribute to an edited volume.

Key Dates:

Abstract submission open now

Early bird registration open now:  https://portal.britsoc.co.uk/public/event/eventBooking.aspx?id=EVT10612

Abstract submission closes: 9^th December 2016

Decision notification: 20^th January 2017

Presenter registration closes: 10^th March 2017

Early bird registration closes:  2^nd June 2017

Registration closes: 23^rd June 2017

Please note that after Friday, 2^nd June 2017, a £50 late registration fee will apply to all bookings.

Should you have other questions about the conference please also contact the conference organisers, Dr Caroline Starkey (University of Leeds) and Dr Jasjit Singh (University of Leeds) at socrel2017@PROTECTED.

For further details, visit the SocRel website: www.socrel.org.uk. For further details about the BSA visit www.britsoc.co.uk.

Link to online CfP: http://socrel.org.uk/sociology-of-religion-study-group-socrel-annual-conference-2017/

*** For those interested, the Oral History Society are holding the following conference on Friday 14^th- Saturday 15^th July at Leeds Trinity University http://www.ohs.org.uk/conferences/2017-conference-remembering-beliefs/ For those wishing to present at both conferences, please make the conference organisers aware so we can organise panels accordingly. For more information on this conference, please email OHSConf2017@PROTECTED or visit their website http://www.ohs.org.uk/conferences/2017-conference-remembering-beliefs/  ***

Rachael Shillitoe

Research Student – Faith on the Air

SocRel Conference and Events Officer

University of Worcester

Research School

Jenny Lind Building

Farrier Street

Worcester

WR1 3BB