Sacred or Secular: Politics, Policy, Practice — Goldsmiths, University of London

CALL FOR PAPERS
Sacred or Secular: Politics, Policy, Practice
January 8th, 2014, 9am-4:30pm
RHB 137, Goldsmiths, University of London

The last ten years has seen a reawakening to religion and its public role. The AHRC and ESRC funded Religion and Society programme especially has revealed a complex religious and nonreligious landscape in terms of the nature, manifestation and influence of belief.

Religion and belief are now widely recognised in the public sphere, but not fully comprehended in terms of politics, policy and practice. These spheres are still framed by an older, secular context, which now seems unsuitable.

We now have a much better idea of the religious and nonreligious landscape. The question is how to move forwards, knowing what we do.

By way of exploring this question, Sacred or Secular: Politics, Policy, Practice, seeks to highlight the multi-disciplinary array of research already underway at Goldsmiths. It intends to build relationships with key academics around the UK and researchers at Goldsmiths, as well as strengthening internal links between departments at Goldsmiths itself.

The day will include keynotes and panel discussions. Panel discussions will consist of three ‘lightning’ presentations of 10 minutes each, highlighting research and posing key questions and challenges for policy, politics and practice. These will stimulate broader debate from the floor and in panels.

To contribute a ‘lightning’ presentation, please submit a 1-paragraph outline to t.stacey@gold.ac.uk