Call for Papers: Futures and Frontiers
Joint Conference between the British Association for the Study of Religions (BASR) and the Irish Society for the Academic Study of Religions (ISASR) organised in conjunction with the Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements (CenSAMM).
19-21 August 2026
The conference will be held at Dublin City University, All Hallows Campus, Grace Park Rd, Drumcondra, Dublin, D09 N920, Ireland.
Confirmed Keynote Speaker:
Marion Bowman (The Open University)
Current experiences of ecological, political and economic instability and fragmentation are reconfiguring anticipations of the future. On the one hand, liberal ideas of technological progress, shared prosperity and political freedom increasingly share space with dystopias of climate collapse, re-feudalisation, technological determinism and the rise of authoritarianism. On the other, the idea of the frontier – as a line, border or limit – increasingly defines the public square, whether the conversation concerns AI and the limits of personhood or national identity and the borders of the state. The BASR and the ISASR invite panels, roundtables and papers on the themes of Futures and Frontiers. Contributions may wish to address the following themes:
- Millenarian and apocalyptic traditions;
- Secularization or the resurgence of religion;
- Religion and technology;
- Divination and prophecy;
- Transhumanism and posthumanism;
- Religion and populism;
- Religion and mobilities;
- Postcolonial religion;
- Boundaries of ‘religion’;
- Future of the study of religion(s).
Scholars working on religion and related categories are welcome to submit proposals on any topic whether or not it relates to the conference theme, though priority will be given to proposals that address the conference theme.
Deadline for proposals: May 4, 2026
Please send title, abstract of no more than 150 words, and your affiliation, if any, to: basrisasr@gmail.com
Confirmation of participation by email: May 18, 2026
Deadline for booking accommodation through DCU: May 31, 2026
Deadline for registration: June 15, 2026 [registration details forthcoming]
Several bursaries for postgraduate students and ECRs will be available and, as part of our commitment to diversity, we will be awarding an additional two full bursaries for those who self-identify as belonging to an under-represented Protected Characteristic. As well as these, we are offering up to five partial bursaries of €150 each (covering conference registration and conference meal) for those facing financial challenges, irrespective of their status, though priority will be given to those attending the full conference and who will be travelling by public transport.
Information on bursary applications available shortly.
Conference costs
We have included below a breakdown of the various cost options for the event. As always, we have worked hard to secure the best possible deal for delegates and are thankful for the financial support we have received from CenSAMM to help make the event as affordable as possible. Costs are as follows:
Full Conference (to include lunches and teas/coffees; accommodation and conference dinner booked separately): €110
Single Day Rate (one day conference registration, including lunch and coffee breaks): €50 for Wed/Fri, €75 for Thursday
Conference Dinner (capped at 60 participants): €40 (drinks not included)
The conference dinner will be held on the evening of Thursday 20th August. There is a cap of 60 attendees on a first come basis. The other evenings are open for delegates to explore Dublin, and we will circulate helpful information closer to the time.
The conference will begin early afternoon on the 19th and end around lunchtime on the 21st August.
Accommodation:
Rooms are available through DCU on both the DCU All Hallows Campus, and the DCU Glasnevin Campus (ca. 3km from All Hallows). Single, twin, and double rooms are available on a first come, first serve basis. Room rates include bed and breakfast. For those wanting to come early or stay on after the conference, rooms can be booked for a day in advance of and following the conference. Accessible rooms are available on the Glasevin campus. Accommodation through DCU can be cancelled up to one month before the check-in date, so we advise booking as soon as possible with this in mind.
Accommodation bookings must be made by 31 May 2026. Click here to make your room booking.
Room Rates (per night, breakfast included):
- All Hallows Small Double Ensuite: €120
- All Hallows Double Ensuite: €130
- All Hallows Single Ensuite: €110
- Glasnevin Superior Twin: €130
For those looking for hotel accommodation, we can recommend the Skylon Hotel, which is a 5 minute walk from All Hallows, or the Maples House Hotel, which is c. 2km from All Hallows.
General questions concerning the conference should be directed to the Conference Committee at basrisasr@gmail.com.*
*Please keep an eye on your junk folders for correspondence!
British Association for the Study of Religions 