About
Us

The Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies brings together scholars of religion from a wide background, both internationally and in terms of their specific religious interests. This allows for broad engagement and is different from narrow specialist conferences. The great majority of past participants have found this approach rewarding and professionally helpful.

Typically, our delegates hail from different faiths, and discussion is conducted with openness and mutual respect. We do not shy away from controversy, either, regularly thinking about religion and politics – how religion affects political life, for example, in the USA, UK, Israel, and Muslim fundamentalist states, and how to enable pluralism and tolerance between societies with clashing ideologies.

The Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies is a forum for discourse and the presentation of papers by scholars who have a particular interest in the study of religion. Canon Brian Mountford MBE, former Vicar of University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford and Fellow of St Hilda's College at the University of Oxford, will host the July 2024 session.

You are invited to make a presentation and lead a discussion on an aspect of religious studies, or you may wish to participate as a non-presenting observer. Your presentation must adhere to an abstract of about 150 words approved by the Programme Committee of the Symposium.

Spring Session

The Spring Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies will take place 19-21 March 2025 at St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Submit Abstract

Summer Session

The Summer Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies will take place 16-18 July 2025 at St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Submit Abstract

Submit an Abstract For an Upcoming Session

Spring Registration

We encourage you to register early to ensure a presentation slot, as we accept a limited number of presentations.

Spring Deadlines:

Abstract Submission: 16 February

Regular Registration: 2 February

Late Registration: 28 February

Register

Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies

Upcoming Sessions

Contact Us

Cannon Brian Mountford, MBE

Brian Mountford was Vicar of the University Church, Oxford, from 1986 to 2016 and is currently a Supernumerary Fellow at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. He holds the ecclesiastical title of Canon Emeritus of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. Prior to this, he served as Fellow and Chaplain of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and Vicar of Southgate in North London. In 2016, he was awarded an MBE for his contributions to ecclesiastical heritage.

Learn More