Conferences

Proposal Submission:

The Program Chair will consider papers on religion and culture from across the Social Sciences, including Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, and Anthropology.

Keynote speaker: Ara Norenzayan

Ara Norenzayan is a renowned psychologist and Professor of Social Psychology at the University of British Columbia, best known for his pioneering research on the intersection of religion, culture, and human cooperation. His influential work explores how religious beliefs and practices shape prosocial behavior, the cultural evolution of religions, and the role of “Big Gods” in fostering large-scale cooperation. His multiple papers in Science and Nature as well as his acclaimed book Big Gods: How Religion Transformed Cooperation and Conflict have shaped scholarly discourse across disciplines, including economics, sociology, and anthropology.

Local organizers: Jeanet Sinding Bentzen and Anne Sofie Beck Knudsen

This one-day workshop will allow a select group of graduate students to explore the study of the economics of religion and culture. Participants will have the chance to receive inspiration and feedback from leaders in the field. The workshop will include lectures by faculty and presentations by the students.

After the workshop, students will attend and participate in the ASREC conference, which will cover recent research in the field and offer practical guidance and access to resources through Q&A sessions. Meals, receptions, and social events will be organized to encourage networking between participants and established scholars.

Faculty leaders will include Jeanet Sinding Bentzen and Anne Sofie Beck Knudsen (University of Copenhagen).