British Sociological Association

If we are to understand religion in contemporary society, and glimpse its future, we need to turn our attention to young people. Young people are the generation at the forefront of cultural and social change. It is their engagement with religion, religious ideas and institutions that tells us how resilient beliefs and practices are, whether faith has a future, and how religions adapt, transform and innovate in relation to wider social and cultural trends. Equally, if we are to understand young people, we need to consider their spirituality as a core dimension of personhood: What forms does youth spirituality take? How, if at all, does religion shape their values and sense of purpose, their actions, identity and social integration? The aim of this conference is to bring together scholars interested in religion, spirituality and young people in order to open up a wide ranging sociological debate on Religion and Youth. We welcome papers on any subject around this theme - suggested areas for sociological reflection include the following (please note this list is not exhaustive nor in any order of preference):

 

• Youth Spirituality - The nature of young people's personal beliefs, practices and faith. Spirituality and its role in decision-making and life choices. Individual spirituality in relation to collective expressions of religion. Young people's understanding of 'spirituality', 'religion' and 'faith'.
  
• Youth Religion and Social Capital - The role of faith communities in supporting young people in society. Religion and social integration. Faith, volunteering and civic responsibility amongst young people.
• Religion, Young People and Families - Religious socialisation within families. Home as a site of religious practice and ritual for young people. Religion and its influence on parenting practices and parent-child relations.
• Religion and Youth Cultures, Subcultures and Lifestyle - Religious and spiritual expressions within youth culture. Implicit religion and youth subculture. Religion as a lifestyle choice for young people.
• Radical Youth Religion - Religious fundamentalism and extremism amongst young people. Youth and religion as a force for social change.
• Alternative Youth Religions - Growing up in New Religious Movements. Pagan youth and teenage witches. Eco-spirituality and young people. Religious innovation amongst young people.
• Religion and Marginalised Youth - Religion as a source of empowerment. Religion and young asylum seekers. Religion as a cause of marginalisation for young people. Marginalised youth within religious institutions.
• Researching Youth Religion - Methodological and ethical issues in researching young people and their faith. The relationship between research and practitioner involvement with young people.
• Religion and Young People's Health - Religion as a factor in health related practices. Religion and young people's mental health. Religion, well being and young people's 'spiritual health'.
• Religious and Spiritual Development - The role of schools, youth work and education in religious and spiritual development. Conversion and apostasy amongst young people. Measuring spiritual development.
• Young People and Institutional Religion - Young people's relationship with, and attitude towards, institutional religion. Youth conferences, gatherings, pilgrimages and para-church events. Youth and secularization.
• Generational Religious Differences - How do generations differ in young people's religious beliefs and practices? Influences on generational differences.
• Gender, Ethnicity and Young People's Religious Identity - Gender differences and young people's religious beliefs and practices. Religious patriarchy and young women. Religious engagement amongst minority ethnic groups. Negotiating religious and ethnic identities.

In addition to papers on the Religion and Youth theme, the conference will also have space for 'work in progress' on all topics concerned with the sociology of religion. The Study Group has a vibrant postgraduate network and papers are very welcome from postgraduates as well as more established academics. Key note and panel speakers will be confirmed on the Study Group website in due course.

If you would like to present a paper at this conference, please submit a title and 200 word abstract (preferably by email) to Dr Sylvie Collins-Mayo on or before the 7th January, 2008. One of the conference organisers will normally respond within two weeks so if you need a response before January in order to arrange or apply for funding, please send your abstract in earlier.

Any general questions about the conference can be addressed to either of the organisers - Dr Sylvie Collins-Mayo or Dr Ben Pink Dandelion.

Contact details:

Dr Sylvie Collins-Mayo, Sociology, School of Social Sciences, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road,
Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 2EE , United Kingdom,. Tel: +44 (0) 208 547 2000 ext 62371.
Email: S.Collins-Mayo@Kingston.ac.uk.

Dr Ben Pink Dandelion, Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, 1046 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6LJ United Kingdom,. Tel : +44 (0) 121 415 6782, Email: BenPD@compuserve.com

Details of the conference venue can be found on Woodbrooke's web page (www.woodbrooke.org.uk), but please address all conference correspondence to Sylvie Collins-Mayo or Ben Pink Dandelion.

A registration form can be downloaded from here or obtained from Sylvie Collins-Mayo by email.

Click here to download poster in high resolution PDF web PDF