Category Archives: Study Opportunities

Public Lecture: Minors in Minority Religions

Minors in Minority Religions: The Delicate Balance between Religious Freedom and the Well-being of the Child. Speaker: Dr Susan J. Palmer (School of Religious Studies, McGill University). Held at Western Sydney University, 17 September 2019, 1-3pm

To be accompanied by a special seminar: “Researching New Religions: Qualitative Methods in a Controversial Field” by guest instructor, Susan J. Palmer. Run by the Religion and Society Research Cluster (RSRC) at Western Sydney University. 19 September, 1-4pm 

Click HERE for more information.  (Scroll down to locate these events.)

Job Opening: Muslim-Christian Studies Research Fellow

The Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies <www.cmcsoxford.org.uk>, an independent academic centre, is seeking to appoint a full-time Muslim Research Fellow, based in Oxford, for a three-year contract commencing on 1st October 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Research Fellow will conduct research in the area of Muslim-Christian studies, either  theological, historical or sociological. The main aim would be to produce a high-quality  monograph on an area of the candidate’s choosing in discussion with CMCS. In addition, the Research Fellow would participate in other academic activities at CMCS, including (for example) teaching and advising a range of students who come to the Centre,  engaging with practitioners in the field of Muslim-Christian Relations, and contributing on an agreed basis to CMCS projects such as the Summer School for Christian and Muslim leaders in training,

Hikmah Guides and the Christians and Muslims in Public Life Project.
For further information see
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/172669/muslim-research-fellow-/

Symposium: *Pentecostal Charismatic Christianities and Migration*

Please join us at the symposium Pentecostal Charismatic Christianities and Migration co-convened by the Religion and Society Research Cluster/SSAP, Western Sydney University, and Alphacrucis College.

Date: 2 August 2019

Venue: Level 9, Parramatta City campus, WSU

169 Macquarie St, Parramatta

Keynote Speaker: Associate Prof Richard Vokes, UWA

“‘The Spirit Really Moved Me’: Metaphors of Movement in African-Australian Conversion Narratives”

Symposium Conveners:

  • Prof Cristina Rocha, Religion and Society Research Cluster, WSU
  • Prof Mark Hutchinson, Alphacrucis College
  • Dr Kathleen Openshaw, Religion and Society Research Cluster, WSU
  • Mrs Ingrid Ryan, Alphacrucis College

Symposium Theme

Over the past few decades, Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity (PCC) has exploded in the Global South and grown considerably in the Global North. Much of this grow this fuelled by networks of megachurches, the mobility of community leaders across diasporic networks, migration and media. While traditionally missionaries would travel in a North-to- South direction, more recently megachurches from the Global South have moved horizontally, across to other developing countries, and also made inroads in to the Global North in efforts of reverse missionisation. Such attempts to missionise to locals in the Global North have been largely (though not wholly) unsuccessful and churches have turned their focus to migrants from the Global South. Many studies have shown that migrants, who were not attached to PCCs before migration, join churches in the diaspora as they offer them a home away from home. Meanwhile, diasporic churches also face difficulties keeping these (as well as second generation) migrants, since they may prefer local churches in an effort to integrate. This symposium will probe these themes, discussing the many connections between PCCs and migration.

Registration: This is a free event but registration needed for catering purposes.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pentecostal-and-charismatic-christianity-and- migration-symposium-tickets-64954862743

For more details see attached flyer and  https://pccinaussymposium.wordpress.com/

PhD Opportunity

Dear Colleagues,

Here is a job offer for a phd contract on “Islam, market and gender in Russia: Women entrepreneurs and the market of Muslim goods and services in Russia (or the CIS)”:

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR8224-LUBJUR0-001/Default.aspx?lang=EN

The deadline for application is July 14.

Best wishes,

Silvia Serrano
Professeur, Sorbonne Université,
Eur’Orbem
Centre d’Etude des mondes russe, caucasien et centre-européen (CERCEC),
EHESS,
54 Bd Raspail, 75006, Paris

GENDER, RELIGION AND SEXUALITY SYMPOSIUM

This is an invitation to HDR students and Early Career Academics researching in the interdisciplinary fields of religion, gender and sexuality to attend a one day symposium on:

Saturday, 29 June 2019
at the University of Newcastle Sydney CBD campus
55 Elizabeth St, Sydney
** Register your interest by 21 June 2019!

This one-day symposium brings together postgraduate students and early career researchers working in the interdisciplinary area of religion, gender and sexuality to explore specific issues pertaining to study in this area.

Masterclass 1 (9.30-1pm) Methodological and Ethical Issues in the Study of Religion, Gender and Sexuality

Leaders: Professor Emma Tomalin, University of Leads; Dr Luke Gahan, La Trobe University

This masterclass will explore interdisciplinary approaches to and methodologies in the study of religion, gender and sexuality. The first session will look at the theory of intersectionality when applied to the research and analysis of religion, gender and sexuality in non-western societies. The second session will look at methods and ethics in researching LGBTQI cohorts and issues. Participants will be encouraged to draw on insights from their own research in order to contribute to the discussion, and there will be a pre-symposium reading requirement.

Masterclass 2 (2.00-3.30) Safety in the Research Process

Leader: Dr Kathleen McPhillips, University of Newcastle

Researching across gender issues in the study of religion can expose us to challenging and difficult literature and field sites for which understanding and preparation is essential. This Masterclass will explore some of the pitfalls in the research process, the importance of setting up a safe research environment for participants and researchers and the importance of self-care. The class will introduce a trauma informed model of research practice and will draw upon the expertise of a number of experienced researchers, early career researchers and current HDR students who have worked in challenging research areas. Participants will be invited to share their experiences and there will be a pre-symposium reading requirement.

Discussion (4-5pm)

A final session will address the importance of mentoring for HDR and early career researchers as well as helpful tips about the move from post graduate student to researcher and academic.

This event is fully catered for and morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea is provided.

Registration Costs:

  • HDR Students                                                              $40

  • Early Career Researchers and part-time academics  $50

  • Full time Academics                                                    $100

Please use this link for registration and payment. Deadline: Friday, 21 June 2019.

For more information if required, please email Dr Kathleen McPhillips Kathleen.mcphillips@newcastle.edu.au

Sponsored by:

Introduction to Islamic Codicology

We are once again collaborating  with the Islamic Manuscript Association’s Introduction to Islamic Codicology course on 23–27 September 2019 at Cambridge University Library, Cambridge.

This intensive five-day course will introduce the study of Islamic manuscript codices as physical objects, or the archaeology of the Islamic book. The lectures will provide an overview of writing supports, the structure of quires, ruling and page layout, bookbinding, ornamentation, tools and materials used in book making, the palaeography of book hands, and writing Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) manuscript descriptions. During hands-on sessions, participants will examine Islamic manuscripts from Cambridge University Library’s collections and complete a series of practical exercises on codicological description.

If you are interested then please contact the Association or apply via their website.

Regards
Neil Cunningham
Programmes Manager
Centre of Islamic Studies
University of Cambridge

Symposium/Masterclass on Research on Religion, Gender, and Sexuality

Saturday 29 June 2019
At The University Of Newcastle Sydney Cbd Campus
55 Elizabeth St
Sydney

This one-day symposium brings together postgraduate students and early career researchers working in the interdisciplinary area of religion, gender and sexuality to explore specific issues pertaining to study in this area.

Masterclass 1 (9.30-1pm) Methodological and Ethical Issues in the Study of Religion, Gender and Sexuality
Leaders: Professor Emma Tomalin, University of Leeds; Dr Luke Gahan, La Trobe University

  • This masterclass will explore interdisciplinary approaches to and methodologies in the study of religion, gender and sexuality. The first session will look at the theory of intersectionality when applied to the research and analysis of religion, gender and sexuality in non-western societies. The second session will look at methods and ethics in researching LGBTQI cohorts and issues. Participants will be encouraged to draw on insights from their own research in order to contribute to the discussion, and there will be a pre-symposium reading requirement.

Masterclass 2 (2.00-3.30) Safety in the Research Process
Leader: Dr Kathleen McPhillips, University of Newcastle

  • Researching across gender issues in the study of religion can expose us to challenging and difficult literature and field sites for which understanding and preparation is essential. This Masterclass will explore some of the pitfalls in the research process, the importance of setting up a safe research environment for participants and researchers and the importance of self-care. The class will introduce a trauma informed model of research practice and will draw upon the expertise of a number of experienced researchers, early career researchers and current HDR students who have worked in challenging research areas. Participants will be invited to share their experiences and there will be a pre-symposium reading requirement.

Discussion (4-5pm)

  • A final session will address the importance of mentoring for HDR and early career researchers as well as helpful tips about the move from post graduate student to researcher and academic.
    This event is fully catered for and morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea is provided.

Registration Costs:

  • HDR Students $40
  • Early Career Researchers and part-time academics $50
  • Full time Academics $100

To Register and pay, go to https://www.aasr.org.au/2019-gender-religion-sexuality-symposium

Sponsored By:

  • The Women’s Caucus Of The Australian Association For The Study Of Religion
  • The School Of Humanities And Social Sciences, University Of Newcastle
  • Religion And Society Research Cluster, Western Sydney University
  • Institute For Ethics And Society, Notre Dame University, Sydney
  • Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University, Melbourne

PhD Scholarships on “The African Diaspora and Pentecostalism in Australia”

Dear colleagues,

We are offering 2 PhD scholarships (1 based in Sydney and 1 in Perth) as part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) funded project: “The African Diaspora and Pentecostalism in Australia: New Perspectives on Materiality, Media and Religion.”

This project investigates the new African Diaspora in Australia and its embrace of Pentecostalism, particularly after arrival. The African community in Australia has often been associated with poor settlement outcomes, and has also been on the receiving end of a racialised moral panic. The project aims: to understand the range of challenges African-Australian communities faces; to determine why so many of their members join Pentecostal churches; to investigate how Pentecostal churches support these communities’ translocal and transnational mobility and sense of belonging, and; to contribute to policy efforts to improve outcomes for African new arrivals in Australia.

Within this larger project, the PhD candidates will conduct ethnographic research with Pentecostal churches in Australia, and with African Diasporas in the country. Both projects will investigate questions such as: how do Pentecostal churches support/hinder processes of settlement and ‘integration’? How do some Pentecostal megachurches generate transnational religious fields – ones which may harness resources from branches elsewhere in the world? And what impact does all of this have on Australian cities’ post-secular social landscapes?

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds: anthropology, sociology, religious studies, African studies, Migration studies or a related field. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in the intersections of migration and religion. Applications from students of African heritage are especially welcomed.

Deadline: 30 June 2019

For more details, see

  1. https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/scholarships/current_scholarships/current_scholarships/ssap_the_african_diaspora_and_pentecostalism_in_australia (Religion and Society Research Centre, School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney)

  2. http://www.scholarships.uwa.edu.au/search?sc_view=1&id=8941 (, at the School of Social Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth).

Prof Cristina Rocha
Director of Religion and Society Research Cluster |School of Social Sciences and Psychology
Western Sydney University
President: Australian Association for the Study of Religion

Master Classes for Students/Early Careers Researchers on Gender, Sexuality, & Religion

SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2019 9am-5pm

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE SYDNEY CBD CAMPUS — 55 Elizabeth St Sydney

A one day symposium for postgraduate students and early career researchers working in the interdisciplinary area of gender, sexuality and religion, to explore specific issues pertaining to study in this area with leading researchers in this field.

Two Masterclasses will address a number of topics in Methodological Issues in the Study of Religion and Gender and Safety in the Research Process.  There will also be a session on mentoring and applying for academic jobs and scholarships.

The symposium is fully catered and has a registration fee of $40.

More information and registration coming soon!

Best regards

Enqi Weng, PhD
Seminar Leader | ALC215 Global Media
Research Fellow | ARC DP ‘Religious diversity in Australia: Strategies to maintain social cohesion’

e: enqi.weng@deakin.edu.au

Apply for Generations in Dialogue about the Sociology of Religion

The Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California (USC) is seeking applications for its Generations in Dialogue (GID) program about the Sociology of Religion.

The GID program involves a widely-recognized senior Catholic scholar sharing his or her time, expertise, and wisdom with several junior scholars in the same or related disciplines. Over a two-year period these scholars convene for four weekend dialogues that include discipline-specific discussions, personal reflection, shared prayer, and presentations from distinguished scholars and public intellectuals.  Besides benefitting from two years of mentorship, junior scholars will establish relationships with other dedicated scholars in their field.

A generous stipend is included. Early-career (pre-tenure and dissertation stage) social scientists are eligible. Applications are welcome from anyone interested in a substantive and critical engagement with Catholicism’s multiple intellectual traditions

For more information and an application:

https://ifacs.com/programs/generations-in-dialogue/