European Association for the Study of Religions

European Association for the Study of Religions is a professional organization that promotes the academic study of religion in Europe. The EASR was founded in 2000 by a group of scholars, including Eileen Barker, Peter Antes, and Francois Gauthier, with the goal of fostering collaboration and exchange among researchers of religion from different European countries, such as France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The EASR is affiliated with the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) and works closely with other organizations, including the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR) and the American Academy of Religion (AAR). The EASR also collaborates with universities and research institutions, such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS).

● History

The EASR has its roots in the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR), which was founded in 1950 by scholars such as Raffaele Pettazzoni, Geo Widengren, and Mircea Eliade. The IAHR aimed to promote the comparative study of religion and to facilitate international collaboration among scholars of religion. In the 1990s, a group of European scholars, including Eileen Barker, Peter Antes, and Francois Gauthier, began to discuss the need for a European-based organization that would focus specifically on the study of religion in Europe. This led to the founding of the EASR in 2000, with the support of organizations such as the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Union (EU). The EASR has since become a major player in the field of religious studies, with members from universities and research institutions across Europe, including the University of London, University of Paris, and the University of Berlin.

● Organization

The EASR is governed by a council of scholars, which includes representatives from different European countries, such as Greece, Poland, and Sweden. The council is responsible for setting the overall direction of the organization and for making key decisions about its activities and priorities. The EASR also has a number of committees and working groups, which focus on specific areas of interest, such as the study of new religious movements (NRMs) and the role of religion in European society. The EASR works closely with other organizations, including the European Sociological Association (ESA) and the International Society for the Sociology of Religion (ISSR), to promote the study of religion and to advance the field of religious studies. The EASR is also affiliated with the Council of European Studies (CES) and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR).

● Activities

The EASR engages in a range of activities, including the organization of conferences and workshops, the publication of scholarly papers and books, and the provision of funding and support for research projects. The EASR also works to promote the study of religion in European universities and research institutions, and to support the development of new research initiatives and collaborations. The EASR has partnerships with organizations such as the European Research Council (ERC) and the Wellcome Trust, and works closely with scholars from universities and research institutions across Europe, including the University of Amsterdam, University of Copenhagen, and the University of Helsinki. The EASR also collaborates with museums and cultural institutions, such as the British Museum and the Louvre, to promote the study of religion and culture.

● Membership

Membership in the EASR is open to scholars and researchers from Europe and beyond, including those from Australia, Canada, and the United States. Members of the EASR include scholars from a range of disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, history, and theology. The EASR also has a number of institutional members, including universities and research institutions, such as the University of Chicago, University of California, Berkeley, and the Australian National University. Members of the EASR receive a range of benefits, including access to the organization's publications and conferences, and opportunities to network with other scholars and researchers in the field of religion. The EASR also offers membership to students and early career researchers, and provides support and resources for their research and professional development.

● Conferences

The EASR organizes a range of conferences and workshops throughout the year, including its annual conference, which brings together scholars and researchers from across Europe and beyond. The EASR also co-organizes conferences with other organizations, such as the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) and the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR). Recent conferences have focused on topics such as the role of religion in European society, the study of new religious movements (NRMs), and the impact of globalization on religion. The EASR also sponsors panels and sessions at conferences organized by other organizations, such as the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and the International Sociological Association (ISA). The EASR's conferences and workshops provide opportunities for scholars and researchers to present their research, to network with other experts in the field, and to engage in discussions and debates about the latest developments in the study of religion.