03/07/2026 09:00
- 13:30
HALL: Pola - A108
Contact:
Leofreddi A.
Chair:
Leofreddi A.,
Stoeckl K.
Religion plays a significant role in a broad range of social movements, including many that are not explicitly faith-based. However, research on collective action has frequently either overlooked the role of religion or focused mainly on its associations with conservative or extremist politics, thereby neglecting its influence on other forms of activism. This panel seeks to address this gap by examining the role of religion in contemporary social movements that pursue liberal, progressive or egalitarian ends. We invite submissions of case studies from diverse geographical contexts, as well as theoretical insights from various disciplines. Our objective is to advance understanding of the intersections between religion, political, and protest, and to foster both theoretical and empirical discussions regarding the relationship between religion and social change.
The panel welcomes a variety of contributions, including but not limited to:
- Empirical case studies, based on qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research, examining the role of religion within specific contemporary social movements.
- Comparative analyses, focusing on cross-national, regional, or transnational contexts and highlighting similarities and differences in the interaction between religion and collective action.
- Theoretical contributions, aimed at developing, refining, or critically engaging with existing conceptual frameworks on religion, politics, and social movements.
- Interdisciplinary approaches, drawing from sociology, political science, anthropology, religious studies, social movement studies, or related fields.
- Methodological reflections, addressing challenges, innovations, or ethical issues in the empirical study of religion in social movements.
- Work-in-progress or exploratory papers, provided they demonstrate clear theoretical relevance and/or empirical significance for the panel's themes.
