Call for Papers 2027
Eastern International Regional Meeting of the American Academy of Religion
May 6-8, 2027
Hosted jointly by the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario
Deadline for submissions: January 15, 2027
Theme: Religion in the News
Religious Studies has a long history, and an even longer historical memory. The EIR invites scholars to bring these resources to bear in investigating the cutting edge of the present, with a critical focus on emerging trends and current events. How do we find religion(s) being reshaped in new ways by our hypermodern world, or reshaping it in turn? (Has “religion” found new ways to be interiorized, new external forms to move into, new shapes in theory or practice, etc?) Any aspect of phenomena deemed religious may be taken into consideration: social issues, political problems, representation in the media, novel scientific or social-scientific perspectives, etc. Proposals that do not relate to the “Religion in the News” conference theme are also welcome, and all methodological approaches and areas of study are encouraged.
Scholars from any region or association may submit a proposal. Only proposals received by the deadline will be considered for inclusion in the program. Undergraduate-only panels are encouraged (instructions at eiraar.org). The Program Committee also welcomes proposals for non-traditional sessions such as roundtables, dialogues, book discussions, etc.
Further Information on the 2027 Event and Submissions
Themes of interest may include:
Borders, Place and Space
Conflict and Peace
Contemporary Theology
Ecology and the Environment
Ethics
Gender, Sexualities, and Power
Material Religion
Media, Music, and Popular Culture
Migration and Movement
New Religious Movements
Pluralism and Globalization
Religion and Politics
Religious Trauma and Healing
Proposal Requirements
• One-page abstract (250 words maximum) describing the nature of the paper or panel.
• Cover page that includes the submitter’s full name, title, institution, status at the institution (undergraduate, graduate student, faculty, staff, etc.), contact information.
• If you require technological support for your presentation/panel (such as an Internet connection or audio and projection equipment), you must note this in your proposal.
• For panel proposals, provide full contact information for the primary contact person.
• Proposals must be sent to
Scholars from any region may apply to participate. Presentations are usually limited to twenty minutes, with 5-10 minutes allowed for questions.
We encourage participants to get involved and connect with each other, for example in serving as panel chairs. If you are interested, please contact Aaron Ricker at
As a general rule, the EIR discourages panels comprised of scholars from a single institution. Exceptions to this rule would include a presentation from a research team, a panel based on collaborative research, or certain kinds of undergraduate panels.
EIR partners
The EIR will once again meet concurrently with SCRIPT (the Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts). SCRIPT usually posts an independent call for papers at www.script-site.net.
Undergraduate Panels
The Region encourages submissions from undergraduates in the field of Religious Studies or on the theme of the conference. Presentations in undergraduate sessions must be 15 minutes long. Each proposal should contain the following in a single document:
• One-page abstract (300 words maximum) describing the nature of the paper or panel
• Letter from a faculty member who has supervised the student’s work
• Cover page that includes the student’s full name, institution, and contact information. (For panel proposals, provide full contact information for the main contact person.)
Student Paper Competition
Graduate and undergraduate students in the Eastern International Region are invited to enter our competition for student papers. To be eligible, the student must attend a college or university in the Eastern International Region. The cash awards are presented at the business meeting.
To enter the competition, please attach a short note to your proposal indicating that you would like your paper to be considered. Note: The award is for the “student paper” and not the “presentation” alone. Unlike most presenters, contestants are therefore required to read their papers aloud in their entirety at the meeting, which generally imposes an upper limit of twenty minutes for graduate papers (about 2,500 words or less) or 15 minutes for undergraduate papers (about 2,000 words or less).
About us:
The Eastern International Region of the American Academy of Religion serves as a gateway into the academic study of religion for regional participants who reside in Western Pennsylvania, the State of New York (excluding New York City), and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The EIR is a benefit to being a member of the AAR, at no extra fee.
Let us hear from you! If you are starting a project or continuing one, hosting workshops, or know about awards, grants, or upcoming publications, we want to hear from you to create and sustain an engaging and creative community of scholars. Use our website feature [“Share News” link] to share your news with us and with our Regional members. Our intention is to help members widen networks and spark conversations with scholars across the Regions. Check out the AAR-EIR Twitter feed as well as our Facebook pages for Members and Students for updates and news throughout the year.
To learn more about the rest of our Board Members, view their profiles on our 'About' page.