Affiliated Associations and Societies

ESSWE: European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism

Website: http://www.esswe.org

The ESSWE was founded in 2005 to advance the academic study of the various manifestations of Western esotericism from late antiquity to the present. It became affiliated to the IAHR at the Toronto meeting in 2010.

ESSWE holds an international conference every two years, and is the sponsoring organization for the journal Aries and the associated Aries book series (both published by Brill). It also awards a thesis prize, offers bursaries to junior scholars and scholars from the former Eastern bloc, and provides resources of use to its members on its website.


IACSR: International Association for the Cognitive Science of Religion

Website: http://www.iacsr.com/iacsr/Home.html

The IACSR,  the International Association for the Cognitive Science of Religion, was founded in 2006, as an association open to scholars from the humanities, social and natural sciences interested in explaining religious cognition and cultures as natural phenomena. Our society seeks to promote excellence in the cognitive science of religion through international collaboration with scholars whose research has a bearing on the empirical investigation of religious cognition, without regard to curricular aliations. Our association is therefore extremely multidisciplinary, a fact reflected in the rich and varied scholarly backgrounds of our association's members.

Our objective to promote excellence for the cognitive science of religion is currently advanced through scholarly activities that include the arrangement of biennial conferences, as well as interim local meetings; the encouragement of research projects; the facilitation of scholarly publications; the exchange of information through electronic media; and by other means.

The IACSR seeks to extend our activities in the future by developing vehicles topromote excellence in teaching, to support recent graduates in their respective fields, and to enhance promising research activities across disciplines.


ISORECEA: International Study of Religion in Eastern and Central Europe Association

Website: http://www.isorecea.net/

ISORECEA is an international scientific association established in December 1995, after a series of conferences organized since 1991 and devoted to the religious change in Central and Eastern Europe. The association focuses on the exchange of academic knowledge on the situation of religion in the Central-Eastern European area. Its members represent various disciplines, e.g. sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, and come from various countries, including Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and the USA. The ISORECEA became affiliated with the IAHR in 2010.


ISSRNC: International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture

Website: http://www.religionandnature.com/society/

The International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture (ISSRNC) is a community of scholars engaged in critical inquiry into the relationships among human beings and their diverse cultures, environments, religious beliefs and practices. The ISSRNC facilitates scholarly collaboration and research, and disseminates research findings through regular conferences and the affiliated Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture.


SAMR: Society for Ancient Mediterranean Religions

Website: http://samreligions.org

The Society for Ancient Mediterranean Religions was founded to foster the interdisciplinary study of the religions of the ancient Mediterranean basin, and especially the interaction of the multiple polytheistic religions with each other and with the emerging monotheistic religions of the region.  We hope to bring together scholars interested in Near Eastern studies, Classics, Religion and other related fields to share insights with each other.  Membership for a nominal fee is open to faculty, graduate students and anyone with an interest in ancient Mediterranean religious traditions.


Society of Biblical Literature (SB) *

Website: http://www.sbl-site.org/

The Society of Biblical Literature, founded in 1880, is the oldest and largest learned society devoted to the critical investigation of the Bible from a variety of academic disciplines. As an international organization, the Society offers its members opportunities for mutual support, intellectual growth and professional development and is a member of the American Council of Learned Societies.  SBL mission is to foster biblical scholarship.

* Recommended for membership by the Executive Committee, pending recommendation by the International Committee (see below), and admission by the General Assembly at a future quinquennial Congress.