Religion and the Public University

2020–2021 Research and Creative Collaborative

Conveners
Jeanne Kilde; Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts
Virajita Singh; Office of Equity and Diversity; Architecture, College of Design

The Religion and the Public University Collaborative  (RPUC) uses the tools of academic research and knowledge production to address questions and issues that arise at the intersections of religious freedom, academic freedom, and church-state separation on this and other public university campuses.

Learn more about their work at rpuc.ias.dash.umn.edu

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

The RPUC will sponsor a colloquium on issues related to religion and public universities in conjunction with the 2021 spring meeting of the Upper Midwest American Academy of Religion. The colloquium will be held on April 9 (preceding the conference on April 10), 2021. The colloquium will include an invited roundtable discussion with chairs, directors, and faculty from regional and national institutions; two 90-minute paper sessions; and a closing conversation and summation. 

The RPUC program committee invites proposals for 20-minute papers on the following themes:  First Amendment issues related to religion and public education, religious accommodation on public university campuses; religious diversity and student life; pedagogy and teaching about religion; civic engagement and religious studies departments; intersections, overlaps, and tensions among concepts of the secular, the public, and religion. Papers on other topics related to religion and public universities will also be considered. The deadline for proposals in December 31, 2020. Read the full CFP here.

This series features an IAS Research and Creative Collaborative. Each profile is written by the group as a way to share their projects, goals, and experiences as part of their time supported by the IAS.