British Sociological Association

Sociology of Religion Study Group

Thursday 22nd February - Saturday 24th February 2007

Burwalls Centre for Continuing Education

University of Bristol

Report

As a direct result of postgraduate requests from the previous year, this was the first-ever two-day event. As the cost, both direct and indirect, was higher than previous years, we were particularly delighted to have a good turnout. Thirteen postgraduates attended, including two coming from Norway and New Zealand specifically for the event. Several other postgraduates who attended are studying in the UK from the United States, Germany and Finland.

The range of national diversity was complemented by a range of theoretical and empirical interests. Each participant delivered a short paper and invited questions on a range of topics from British paganism, Norwegian national and religious identity formation, Muslim integration in Britain and on-line churches. Participants also engaged in a session where they discussed their different methodologies facilitated by Dr Abby Day and Sarah Page.

Two eminent scholars gave key-note speeches. Prof. Phillip Mellor discussed 'Sociology's "religion": from social construction to embodied constitution' and Dr. Gordon Lynch presented his emerging thoughts on 'The changing face of the sacred: future challenges for the sociology of religion'.

The two-day format allowed for two specific workshops which had been requested by postgrads: 'On Getting Published', was led by Dr Abby Day and Prof. Linda Woodhead facilitated a session on 'Advice on Applying for Research Funding'. The longer event also meant that there was an opportunity for informal networking plus a fascinating tour of Clifton Cathedral kindly organised by Dr Kieran Flanagan. The conference finished with a feedback session led by Sarah Page which concluded that a two-day event was an ideal format and that future conferences should once again include sessions on publishing and funding and also allow for a period of unstructured time for informal networking.

The postgrads benefited from and greatly appreciated the involvement of Socrel Committee officers who attended: Prof. Linda Woodhead; Dr Peter Gee and Dr Sylvia Collins-Mayo. Most of all, they extended their gratitude to Dr Kieran Flanagan who organises the conference every year and this year took on the extra responsibility of the two-day format.

Attendance at the conference is subsidised by the Socrel Study Group. Members renewing their subscriptions may note a voluntary contribution can be made to support the postgrad conference and also help make it possible for postgrads to attend the annual study group conference. We were also grateful that several university departments funded postgrads to attend, in recognition of the important contribution the conference makes to the student's intellectual and professional development.

Abby Day