British Association for the Study of Religions Annual Conference 

September 2-4, 2024 

Reckoning with the Past  

University of Leeds 

Sponsored by the CenSAMM and the Hibbert Trust 

The academic study of religion, with its roots in a variety of scholarly disciplines, is currently in a state of reassessment in terms of its history, relationship with colonialism, and problematic frameworks of ‘religion’. This year’s BASR conference, sponsored by the Hibbert Trust and CenSAMM, brings together scholars to reckon with the past – from a variety of perspectives. As well as current issues in how groups are reckoning with their own problematic histories, we expect to cover themes such as the decolonisation of religious studies, anti-racist education and education about the slave trade; in addition to the history of religious studies and colonial impacts.  

We welcome paper and panel proposals on these themes, in addition to the wider study of religions. Topics can include, but are not limited to: 

• Decolonising the study of religion 
• The history of religious studies 
• Social justice and anti-racist education 
• Religion and coloniality 
• Teaching and learning in the study of religion 
• Religion and the environment 
• Apocalypticism and millenarianism  
• Fieldwork and positionality 
• New directions in the study of religion

Please submit proposals and any questions to basrconference2024@gmail.com  

Panel proposal (title, 200-word abstract, participants’ titles, abstracts) deadline: May 10 2024 

Paper proposal (presenter/s, title, 200-word abstract) deadline: June 7 2024 

If you are a Masters and/or early PGR student and would like to deliver 5-10 minute presentations on your ongoing or recently completed projects in a Lightning Talks panel, please submit a 50-100 word abstract to basrconference2024@gmail.com along with your institutional affiliation, degree programme, and year of progress.

Bursary applications for postgraduate, early career researchers, and for those facing financial challenges (irrespective of their status) will open in due course. 

Conference Team: 

Professor Melanie Prideaux, Pro Dean for Student Education, Faculty of Arts Humanities and Cultures

Dr Aled Thomas, Teaching Fellow in the Study of Religion