Centre for the Study of Religion

About
The Centre for the Study of Religion was established in 2022 by Professors Alison Forrestal and Felix Ó Murchadha. It aims to support interdisciplinary scholarship in this subject area within University of Galway and to promote public engagement in Ireland and abroad. Its primary objectives are:

Research
To provide a forum for interdisciplinary debate and collaboration in the study of religion within the university

Research Support
To provide a structure that encourages and support funding bids for PhD students, postdoctoral scholars and thematic research projects

Public Engagement
To promote existing and emerging strengths in research amongst academics and the general public

In keeping with the university’s status as a public body, the Centre is a secular institute with a broad remit, and it draws together University of Galway staff with active research interests in the study of religion from sociological, historical, literary, philosophical, political and other perspectives. 

It encourages research into the ideas and practices of any religious tradition and into related themes ranging from (but not limited to) human rights, environmentalism, and spiritualities of the self, to issues of the role of religion in politics, in their historical and contemporary contexts.

Staff Associated with the Centre
The Centre welcomes new associates with research interests in religion. Current staff associated with the Centre include:

Co-Directors:
Prof. Alison Forrestal, Discipline of History, School of History and Philosophy
Prof. Felix Ó Murchadha, Discipline of Philosophy, School of History and Philosophy

Board Members:
Dr. Gearóid Barry, Discipline of History, School of History and Philosophy
Prof. Marie-Louise Coolahan, Discipline of English, School of English Creative Arts
Prof. Enrico Dal Lago, Discipline of History, School of History and Philosophy
Dr Máire Aine Ní Mhainnín, Discipline of French, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Associate Staff:
Prof. Roja Fazaeli, Irish Centre for Human Rights, School of Law
Dr. Tomás Finn, Discipline of History, School of History and Philosophy
Dr. Joel Hanisek, Irish Centre for Human Rights, School of Law
Dr. Róisín Healy, Discipline of History, School of History and Philosophy
Dr. Vesna Malesevic, Discipline of Sociology, School of Political Science and Sociology

News and Events
For information on lectures, seminars and other events run by the Centre, see BlueSky @csrgalway.bsky.social