Bar-Ilan University, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, recently participated in the European Academy of Religion’s highly anticipated annual conference in May 2024. Through its representatives from the International School (Daniel Schuval) and BIU’s Department of Jewish Philosophy (Prof. Hanoch Ben Pazi), the university played an important role in encouraging intellectual discourse among researchers of religion from diverse academic disciplines.
The conference, organized by the European Academy of Religion (EuARe), provided a platform for academics and researchers to share their research, inspire young minds, and foster a robust exchange of ideas. This gathering engaged academics, policymakers, civil society members, and faith-based communities, ultimately driving research impact, innovation, and knowledge-transfer perspectives.
Daniel Schuval, Director of Academic Partnerships and Projects at Bar-Ilan University’s International School
“Our participation in the conference showed our strong commitment to advancing religious scholarship and contributing to the global academic community,” said Daniel Schuval, Senior Advisor for Internationalization at Bar-Ilan University’s International School. “It also helped us forge collaborative partnerships with other institutions and discuss expanding our joint doctoral programs.” Schuval has managed BIU’s role in the project since it began in May 2023.
Bar-Ilan University, which sits in the top two percent of universities worldwide, boasts the largest Faculty of Jewish Studies globally, with many professors and faculty members who have received accolades for their research and contribution to the field of religion.
PhD Forum Held to Shape Future of Religious Studies
In addition to Bar-Ilan University’s participation in the conference, the university also took part in the PhD Forum, which aimed to discuss the future of the study of religion and the role of doctoral schools in this field. The Forum, hosted by the EuARe and co-sponsored by FSCIRE (Fondazione per le scienze religiose) and RESILIENCE Research Infrastructure, provided a platform for delegates to explore ways to serve future generations of scholars in terms of research tools, data availability, and access, as well as the capacity to develop knowledge in the future.
L-R: Daniel Schuval, Senior Advisor for Internationalization at Bar-Ilan University’s International School, and Prof. Alberto Melloni, founder of the Academy and Secretary of FSCIRE – Fondazione per le scienze religiose
Among the objectives of the Forum, the organizers envisioned the possibility of exploring collaborations, standardizing procedures such as co-tutorship and double degrees, enlarging the group beyond the strict boundaries of Europe, and establishing a permanent group that develops joint initiatives. These initiatives could include agreements with publishers, research seminars, and schools.
During the morning session, three hour-long panel discussions took place, where presenters summarized their upcoming presentations in 10-minute segments. The aim was to find synergies between universities and other organizations and discover discussion topics that would be valuable to all participants.
Bar-Ilan University’s participation in the PhD Forum and the conference as a whole strengthened its commitment to cooperation and knowledge-sharing, underscoring the university’s pursuit of academic excellence and its desire to foster innovative research opportunities for aspiring scholars.
EuARe: Collaborative Research and Intellectual Exchange
The European Academy of Religion (EuARe) serves as a dynamic research initiative, providing a platform for researchers and scholars hailing from universities, centers, research infrastructures, scientific journals, and publishers in Europe and its neighboring regions.
The EuARe cultivates an environment where minds converge, ideas flourish, and fruitful collaborations are formed, nurturing the development of innovative research. With a strong emphasis on the study and exploration of religious topics spanning various disciplines, the EuARe bridges the gap between religion and its intersections with social, cultural, and political issues.
By fostering collaboration and dialogue among diverse organizations in Europe and beyond, EuARe not only encourages academic debate, but also offers a secure and receptive space for critical analysis and the exchange of scholarly insights.
“The EuARe values its association with Israeli universities and sees it as an instrument to strengthen its ties with the country and its scholars,” said Prof. Alberto Melloni, founder of the Academy and Secretary of FSCIRE – Fondazione per le scienze religiose.
“Our partnership with Bar-Ilan University in particular started many years ago when we launched the European Research Infrastructure on Religious Studies (RESILIENCE*). This cooperation with Bar-Ilan is an essential part of both EuARe and RESILIENCE’s programs, intentions, and scientific activities,” he said.
*RESILIENCE is a European cross-disciplinary research infrastructure serving the study of religion in all academic fields. It connects research centers, data holders, and services distributed all over Europe and creates new instruments and services for its scientific community.
