Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
The SSSR is a multi-disciplinary society of scholars “who are interested in the scientific exploration of religion…. Its purpose is to stimulate and communicate significant scientific research on religious institutions and religious experience.”
Association for the Sociology of Religion
“The Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR) is an international scholarly association that seeks to advance theory and research in the sociology of religion… The Association encourages and communicates research that ranges widely across the multiple themes and approaches in the study of religion, and is a focal point for comparative, historical and theoretical contributions to the field.”
Sociology of Religion Section, ASA
“The purpose of the Section on Sociology of Religion is to encourage and enhance research, teaching, and other professional concerns in the study of religion and society. The Section seeks to promote communication, collaboration and consultation among scholars in the field of the sociology of religion.”
International Sociological Association – Research Committee on Sociology of Religion
“This research committee was established with the intention of opening up a broader range of opportunities for participation in the activities of the ISA in the field of the Sociology of Religion. To this end it undertakes measures: to secure and develop personal and institutional contacts amongst sociologists of religion throughout the world; to encourage the international dissemination and exchange of information on significant developments in the sociology of religion and to promote the development of scientific activities in the sociology world wide; to facilitate and promote international meetings and research in the field of the sociology of religion; to help the non-represented countries to use the committee’s resources and its facilities.”
British Sociological Association Sociology of Religion Study Group
Founded in 1975, the Sociology of Religion Study Group within the British Sociologcical Association offers an annual four-day conference around issues of contemporary religion and the sociology of religion. “A particular concern of the Study Group is to encourage y
unger members of the Group and to increase the profile of the Sociology of Religion within Sociology.” The Study Group also maintains a listserve SOCREL – the e-mail discussion list of the BSA Sociology of Religion Study Group. For more information about the Religion Study Group contact Elisabeth Arweck at Elisabeth.arweck@kcl.ac.uk.
International Society for the Sociology of Religion
The International Society for the Sociology of Religion (commonly known, by its French acronym, of the SISR — formerly the CISR) holds biennial conferences in locations throughout Europe.
Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action
“The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) is an international, interdisciplinary network of scholars and nonprofit leaders fostering the creation, application and dissemination of research on voluntary action, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy and civil society.”
Center for Studies on New Religions
“The Center for Studies on New Religions, is an international network of associations of scholars working in the field of new religious movements. CESNUR is independent from any religious group, Church, denomination or association. In the U.S. CESNUR U.S.A. is located at the Institute for the Study of American Religion and can be contacted at jgordon@rain.org.”
Social Science Research Council
“Founded in 1923, the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, nongovernmental, not-for-profit, international association devoted to the advancement of interdisciplinary research in the social sciences. It does this through a wide variety of interdisciplinary workshops and conferences, fellowships and grants, summer training institutes, scholarly exchanges, and publications.
German Association of Sociology, Sociology of Religion Section
This website includes current information about the section, its conference announcements, a list of section publications, current reference works, names and addresses of board members, a membership register with addresses and other information about the section. This site is in German but you can use a translation tool like Bablefish found at http://babelfish.altavista.com/ to obtain a rough translation.
For links to other centers and associations, visit the Hartford Institute for Religion Research listing at:
http://www.hartfordinstitute.org/sociology/professional_associations.html