Reflection on the Institute's Vision
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- Published on 17 July 2008
- Written by Wesley Wildman
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The leadership of the Institute for the Biocultural Study of Religion (IBCSR) has an immodest vision for transforming current and future religion-science interactions, a transformation powered by the clarity of its ideas and the quality of its research. Our ultimate aim is to contribute to a revolution in the cultural understanding of religion through rigorous research-based knowledge of its nature and functions in individuals and groups.
Training
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- Published on 17 July 2008
- Written by admin
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The Institute provides an institutional locus for training people to conduct cutting-edge research into the biocultural functions of religion. This involves:
- providing established investigators interested in the topic with fast-track resources necessary to get them involved in research into the biocultural functions of religion;
- introducing undergraduate and graduate students to the numerous tasks of such research;
- sponsoring graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in such research; and
- establishing and nurturing affiliations with universities that seek education grounded in the biocultural study of religion for their undergraduate and graduate students.
Research
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- Published on 10 October 2006
- Written by admin
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The Institute develops, supports, and catalyzes research initiatives into the manifold functions of religion. This involves:
- conducting research at the intersection of culture and the mind, focusing on religious behaviors, beliefs, and experiences;
- sponsoring the research efforts of others in this area;
- coordinating international research projects in order to achieve large sample sizes and to register cultural differences; and
- involving multiple disciplines—including cognitive sciences, medical sciences, social sciences, psychology, religious studies, and humanities—to produce interpretations of religious behaviors, beliefs, and experiences with the requisite sophistication and sensitivity.
Outreach
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- Published on 19 August 2004
- Written by admin
- Hits: 871
The Institute disseminates knowledge about the functions of religion so as to have a positive influence on both academic scholarship and the general public. This involves:
- launching new publishing projects such as a scholarly journal and an academic book series focused on the functional aspects of religion and its significance for human life;
- establishing a cadre of trained experts who can consult with domestic and international organizations needing guidance on the ethical, medical, and social implications of religious behaviors, beliefs, and customs;
- producing a series of technical working papers and policy recommendations on religion-related issues for public and private organizational entities including federal, state, and local governmental organizations; international aid groups; domestic and international business ventures; health-care organizations; universities and schools; and religious groups;
- issuing press releases about new research results that engage media experts with the deepening knowledge of religion;
- working with media outlets to explain the significance of research into the functions of religion for the general public;
- providing resources to enhance the understanding of religion in journalism, especially by influencing professors and students in university journalism programs;
- developing curriculum materials to serve as resources for university course work in functional aspects of religion;
- sponsoring colloquia, seminars, working groups, and public lectures on topics in the study of religion; and
- maintaining a web presence that centralizes resources for the scientific study of religion that are useful for research specialists, media representatives, policy makers, religious leaders, and the general public.
