Deadline for proposals for this conference in March 15th - so this message 

is being resent to remind/encourage applications!





Postgraduate Conference

New Directions in the Study of Interfaith Dialogue

June 5th 2008

Leeds Humanities Research Institute, University of Leeds



Are you researching in the field of interfaith dialogue?



The aim of this one day conference is to inspire and discuss new 

directions in the postgraduate study of interfaith dialogue. The 

conference will be an open and creative space for postgraduate students to 

present their work and discuss new and emerging themes in the field.



The field of interfaith dialogue is ill defined and in a state of flux. 

Arguably, the traditional emphasis on texts and theory is giving way to a 

new practical focus on relations between people and communities of faith. 

This is partly linked to the UK government’s interest in faith communities 

as drivers of community cohesion and providers of social welfare. Although 

frequently concerned with relations between Muslims and Christians, 

interfaith dialogue can encompass people of all religions and of none. The 

conference may therefore cover areas as diverse as empirical studies of 

the practice of interfaith dialogue, interfaith dialogue and religious 

education, theologies of dialogue, and issues in interfaith dialogue and 

contemporary faith-state relations. It is hoped that postgraduates from a 

range of disciplines will be attracted to the conference.



Organised by postgraduates, this conference will be an opportunity to 

share your research in a supportive and creative environment. Local, non-

academic, interfaith practitioners will provide a new audience for the 

work presented, and will comment on the practical applicability and 

relevance of the emerging ideas.



Papers, or other forms of presentation, will be circulated in advance to 

maximise opportunities for discussion. You are invited to be as creative 

as possible in the form your presentation takes. Poster presentations, 

group or co-authored papers and other forms of presentation will all be 

most welcome as will more standard papers of up to 20 minutes duration. 

There will be a training session on ‘novelty in presentation’ as part of 

the day. It is hoped that completed papers will be published on the 

website of the Institute for Religion and Public Life 

(http://www.leeds.ac.uk/trs/irpl/\), and that participants will develop 

their ideas for presentation at the ‘Inter-Faith Encounters in Modernity 

and Post-Modernity’ conference, Winchester September 2008.



Spaces are limited so please contact us by March 14th with your proposal.



Registration for the conference is free. If there are any barriers to your 

participation e.g. travel expenses, childcare requirements please contact 

us and we will endeavour to meet your needs.



This is a new and exciting venture. We look forward to hearing from you!



Mel Prideaux				Christian Kaestner

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