American Academy of Religion

American Academy of Religion
w:American Academy of Religion · Public domain · source
Name	American Academy of Religion
Formation	1909 as National Association of Biblical Instructors, 1963 as American Academy of Religion
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia
Region served	United States
Membership	Over 9,000
Leader title	Executive Director
Leader name	Althea Spencer-Miller
Main organ	Journal of the American Academy of Religion
Affiliations	Society of Biblical Literature, American Council of Learned Societies

American Academy of Religion is the world's largest association of scholars and researchers in the field of religious studies, with over 9,000 members from more than 60 countries, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany. The organization is affiliated with the Society of Biblical Literature, American Council of Learned Societies, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Its members include prominent scholars such as Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Walter Brueggemann, and Kwame Anthony Appiah, who have made significant contributions to the field of religious studies at institutions like Harvard University, University of Chicago, and Yale University. The organization's activities are also influenced by other academic associations, including the American Philosophical Association, American Historical Association, and Modern Language Association.

● History

The American Academy of Religion was founded in 1909 as the National Association of Biblical Instructors, with the goal of promoting biblical studies and theological education at institutions like Andover Newton Theological School and Union Theological Seminary (New York). In the 1960s, the organization underwent significant changes, including a name change to the American Academy of Religion in 1963, and an expansion of its scope to include the study of all world religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. This shift was influenced by the work of scholars like Mircea Eliade, Joseph Campbell, and Wilfred Cantwell Smith, who were associated with institutions like University of Chicago, Columbia University, and McGill University. The organization has also been shaped by its relationships with other academic associations, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Council of Learned Societies, and National Humanities Center.

● Organization

The American Academy of Religion is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is governed by a board of directors, which includes prominent scholars like Emilie Townes, David Carr, and Amina Wadud. The organization has a number of committees and task forces, which focus on issues like diversity and inclusion, academic freedom, and professional development, and are influenced by the work of organizations like the American Association of University Professors, National Association of Social Workers, and American Library Association. The organization also has a number of regional and international affiliates, including the Canadian Corporation for the Study of Religion, European Association for the Study of Religions, and International Association for the History of Religions, which are connected to institutions like University of Toronto, University of Oxford, and Sorbonne University.

● Membership

Membership in the American Academy of Religion is open to scholars and researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including religious studies, theology, philosophy, history, and anthropology, who are affiliated with institutions like Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and New York University. Members include prominent scholars like Talal Asad, Sheldon S. Wolin, and Catherine Keller, who have made significant contributions to the field of religious studies and are connected to organizations like the Social Science Research Council, National Endowment for the Humanities, and American Council of Learned Societies. The organization also offers membership to students and independent scholars, and has a number of programs and resources available to support their work, including the American Academy of Religion's Annual Meeting and the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, which are influenced by the work of institutions like University of Michigan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Duke University.

● Publications

The American Academy of Religion publishes a number of journals and books, including the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, which is one of the leading journals in the field of religious studies, and is influenced by the work of scholars like Robert Orsi, Laurel Schneider, and Mark C. Taylor, who are affiliated with institutions like Northwestern University, Chicago Theological Seminary, and Williams College. The organization also publishes a number of book series, including the Academy Series and the Teaching Religious Studies Series, which are connected to publishers like Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, and Routledge. In addition, the organization offers a number of online resources, including a job center and a member directory, which are influenced by the work of organizations like the American Historical Association, Modern Language Association, and National Humanities Center.

● Annual Meeting

The American Academy of Religion holds an annual meeting, which is one of the largest gatherings of scholars and researchers in the field of religious studies, and is influenced by the work of institutions like University of Pennsylvania, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Wisconsin–Madison. The meeting features a number of paper presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, and is attended by scholars from around the world, including United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany. The meeting is also an opportunity for members to network and connect with other scholars, and to learn about new developments and trends in the field of religious studies, which are influenced by the work of organizations like the Social Science Research Council, National Endowment for the Humanities, and American Council of Learned Societies.

● Awards and Honors

The American Academy of Religion offers a number of awards and honors, including the Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion, which is given to scholars who have made significant contributions to the public understanding of religion, and is influenced by the work of scholars like Martin E. Marty, Robert Bellah, and Peter Berger, who are affiliated with institutions like University of Chicago, University of California, Berkeley, and Boston University. The organization also offers a number of awards for outstanding teaching and research, including the Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Award for Excellence in Research, which are connected to institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University. In addition, the organization offers a number of grants and fellowships to support research and scholarship in the field of religious studies, which are influenced by the work of organizations like the National Humanities Center, American Council of Learned Societies, and Social Science Research Council.