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American Academy of Religion
We are the largest scholarly society dedicated to the academic study of religion. Our mission is to foster excellence in the academic study of religion and enhance the public understanding of religion.
About AAR
Religion and America at 250
New WebinAAR Series
AAR is offering a series of four webinars to explore central questions around the meaning of religion, the meaning of America, and the intersections of those terms,  with special consideration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
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News & Publications
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RSN Articles
RSN Article
April 23, 2026
Open Tabs | April 2026
April 15, 2026
2026 AAR Regional Board of Director Election Results
April 07, 2026
April 2026 Member Notes
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Benefits of Membership
When you become an AAR member, you join the largest society dedicated to the academic study of religion. You also gain a wide range of benefits that will enable you to elevate your career and grow your community.
Present at Our Annual Meetings
Present at Our Annual Meetings
Develop Your Skills and Career
Develop Your Skills and Career
Grow Your Network and Community
Grow Your Network and Community
Access Professional Resources, Discounts, and More
Access Professional Resources, Discounts, and More
Types of Membership
Nathan Samayo
PhD Candidate, Princeton Theological Seminary
Thanks to AAR's Religion and the Arts Travel Grant, I was able to present my research on giant clam extinction in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands at the 2025 AAR Annual Meeting. AAR made it possible for me to get feedback on my research and connect with other scholars to discuss future scholarly collaborations.
Randall Reed
Professor of Religious Studies, Appalachian State University
AAR has always been about the ability to connect to other scholars for me. My last two books have been the result of connections that have been forged with fellow scholars with whom I connected through research seminars and units in the AAR. I had my preliminary interview for my position during the Annual Meeting and almost everything I have ever written started out as a presentation at an AAR meeting, regional or national.
Emilie Townes
Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Religion and Black Studies, Boston University
Member since 1985
The opportunity to present papers, meet senior scholars, discover the scholars in my age cohort, forge both friendships and project partners, serve on committees, and become AAR's first Black woman president was made possible by my membership.
Asma Afsaruddin
Herman B. Wells Endowed Professor of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, Indiana University at Bloomington
Member Since 1999
AAR has been a wonderful venue to present my research and learn from the work of other specialists in my field and beyond. Every annual conference provides a cornucopia of panels to attend and opportunities to network with colleagues who keep me connected with the latest trends in my field.
Wendy Mallette
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, University of Oklahoma
Member Since 2013
AAR has enabled me to keep up with friends and colleagues, even as we’ve moved to different institutions across the country. The support that comes from these opportunities to catch up with old friends and to meet new ones has been immensely generative for me over the years.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
View All Events
View All Opportunities
Event
Newberry Seminar on Religion and Culture in the Americas
April 24, 2026
Event
Better Surveys, Better Data: A Practical Guide for Researchers
April 28, 2026
Event
Book Launch — A Practical Guide to Critical Religion
April 29, 2026
AAR Judith Plaskow Travel Grant
Awarded to a student or independent scholar who presents a paper contributing to feminist approaches to the study of religion at the November Annual Meeting.
Submission Status
Now Accepting Applicants
Submission Deadline
May 11, 2026 6:00 pm ET
AAR Annual Meeting Travel Grants
Grants of $500 each and complimentary registration to members who demonstrate financial need and a desire to participate in the November Annual Meeting.
Submission Status
Now Accepting Applicants
Submission Deadline
May 11, 2026 6:00 pm ET
AAR Religion and the Arts Travel Grant
Awarded to a graduate student studying religion and the arts who is without institutional support to attend the Annual Meeting.
Submission Status
Now Accepting Applicants
Submission Deadline
May 11, 2026 6:00 pm ET
WebinAAR Recordings
AAR produces and sponsors webinAARs every month on topics related to the academic study and teaching of religion. Recordings typically require an AAR membership to view.
View All WebinAARs
WebinAAR
March 5, 2026
Presidential WebinAAR Series #1 – The REL Toolbox Workshop
The REL Toolbox (
reltoolbox.ua.edu
) is a free online advocacy resource for religion departments and programs. This workshop was a guided and interactive approach to examining a program’s strength, weaknesses, and possibilities. Participants learned how to use the REL Toolbox to build up program resilience and tactically address challenges in HigherEd.
WebinAAR
March 23, 2026
Archiving Reading Religion: A Member Q&A
During this webinar, AAR staff discuss the decision to cease the operation of
Reading Religion
on June 1, 2026 and the transition of
Reading Religion
reviews and articles to an archival format.
WebinAAR
March 3, 2026
Representing Religion in Museums | Religion and America at 250 #2
In this webinAAR, a panel of scholars discuss how museums offer rare places of inter-cultural and inter-religious re-connection and re-enchantment, where people of different religious backgrounds may encounter the practices and beliefs of others, their sacred artifacts, and traditions.
More to Explore
Opportunities Calendar
Discover grants, awards, and other upcoming opportunities for scholars of religion.
View Opportunities
Book Reviews
Read the latest reviews published in our openly accessible book review website,
Reading Religion
Read Reviews
Why AAR
Religious Studies Matters
Religion influences most aspects of our world and the study of religion has never been more important. AAR is committed to advocating for the academic study of religion. We support religion scholars working in many fields, and we provide resources and engagement opportunities to improve the public understanding of religion.
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