Religion

The African & Diasporic Religious Studies Association (ADRSA) is an interdisciplinary consortium dedicated to supporting scholarship in African and Diasporic Religions. Founded at Harvard University in April 2012, the ADRSA is committed to scholarly and community exchange with a particular focus on bringing underrepresented voices to the fore.

The American Academy of Religion's mission is to promote reflection through excellence in scholarship and teaching in the field of religion. As a learned society and professional association of teachers and research scholars, the American Academy of Religion has about 9,000 members who teach in some 900 colleges, universities, seminaries, and schools in North America and abroad. The Academy is dedicated to furthering knowledge of religion and religious institutions in all their forms and manifestations. This is accomplished through Academy-wide and regional conferences and meetings, publications, programs, and membership services.

ACLS, a private, nonprofit federation of 75 national scholarly organizations, is the preeminent representative of American scholarship in the humanities and related social sciences. Advancing scholarship by awarding fellowships and strengthening relations among learned societies are central to our work. Other activities include support for scholarly conferences, reference works, and scholarly communication innovations

The Association for Jewish Studies (AJS) was founded in 1969 by a small group of scholars seeking a forum for exploring methodological and pedagogical issues in the new field of Jewish Studies. Since its founding, the AJS has grown into the largest learned society and professional organization representing Jewish Studies scholars worldwide. As a constituent organization of the American Council of Learned Societies, the Association for Jewish Studies represents the field in the larger arena of the academic study of the humanities and social sciences in North America.

The Buddhist Society was founded in 1924, with the object “to publish and make known the principles of Buddhism and to encourage the study and practice of those principles.” It is guided by an elected Council. The Society provides a range of classes and courses in the Buddha’s teachings, as well as instruction in Buddhist meditation and daily life practice. Courses start with the popular Introduction to basic Buddhism and interested members can then progress to our First Steps in Buddhist Practice, First Turning of the Wheel and Great Way Courses. There are regular classes in the major Buddhist traditions—Zen, Theravada, Pure Land and Tibetan.

The Council of Societies for the Study of Religion (CSSR) was a federation of learned societies founded in the early 1970s. Its executive office, for the past several years, has been hosted by the Department of Religious Studies at Rice University. Its mission was to provide services for its member societies and their members and to publish two quarterly journals.

The IAHR seeks to promote the activities of all scholars, member and affiliate associations and societies contributing to the historical, social, and comparative study of religion. As such, the IAHR is the preeminent international forum for the critical, analytical and cross-cultural study of religion, past and present. The IAHR is not a forum for confessional, apologetical, or other similar concerns.

The International Association of Buddhist Studies (IABS) is a learned society dedicated to promoting and supporting scholarship in Buddhist Studies in a spirit of non-sectarian tolerance and with scientific research and communication as preeminent objectives. Membership is open to scholars of all academic disciplines.

The North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies (NAAIMS) is an organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the production and dissemination of academic research on Islam and the diverse lived experience of Muslims. Its conferences, lectures, award programs, research activities and publications promote reflective and analytical studies about Islam and Muslim societies through the disciplines of the social sciences and humanities. NAAIMS pursues scholarship in an academic setting to provide a deeper and greater understanding of Islam and Muslims.

Academic and religious professionals working at the intersection of research and practical religious activities. An interfaith and international association whose members include college, university, and seminary faculty; religious leaders; organizational consultants; laypersons; and other professionals interested in the intersection of religion and society.

The Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR) is an interdisciplinary academic association that stimulates, promotes, and communicates social scientific research about religious institutions and experiences.

The Society for the Study of Chinese Religions (SSCR) is an international scholarly society dedicated to the study of Chinese religion. SSCR seeks to promote the study of all forms of religious belief and practice in China (and in Chinese communities around the world), to provide a global center of organization and information for the study of Chinese religions, and to provide the opportunity for the sharing of ideas and materials for teaching. We publish a semi-annual journal, the Journal of Chinese Religions, and meet annually in conjunction with the American Academy of Religion and the Association for Asian Studies.

. SSJR is an international association of approximately 200 scholars committed to the academic study of the religions of Japan and is affiliated with the Association of Asian Studies (AAS).

Founded in 1880, the Society of Biblical Literature is the oldest and largest learned society devoted to the critical investigation of the Bible from a variety of academic disciplines.* As an international organization, the Society offers its members opportunities for mutual support, intellectual growth, and professional development through the following: (1) Advancing academic study of biblical texts and their contexts as well as of the traditions and contexts of biblical interpretation (2) Collaborating with educational institutions and other appropriate organizations to support biblical scholarship and teaching (3) Developing resources for diverse audiences, including students, religious communities, and the general public (4) Facilitating broad and open discussion from a variety of critical perspectives (5) Organizing congresses for scholarly exchange (6) Publishing biblical scholarship (7) Promoting cooperation across global boundaries