20 to 22 May 2026,
ISACCL, Bucharest
The international conference "New Directions in Contemporary Research: Religion, Literature, History," to be held at the ISACCL in Bucharest from 20 to 22 May 2026, arises from the need to critically engage with the most recent trajectories in scholarly debate within the humanities and to explore the methodological transformations currently reshaping disciplinary boundaries.
In an academic landscape increasingly characterized by interdisciplinary perspectives, renewed theoretical sensibilities, and the growing importance of transnational paradigms, contemporary research is called upon to confront interpretative categories that are constantly evolving. Religion, literature, and history—fields traditionally distinguished yet deeply interconnected—now emerge as privileged arenas of experimentation, where new methodological trends (ranging from cultural microhistory to the study of textual materiality, from digital humanities to anthropological approaches to devotion and memory) invite a profound reconsideration of analytical tools and theoretical frameworks.
The conference seeks to provide a space for critical reflection on these dynamics by fostering a fruitful dialogue among scholars from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and institutional contexts. In this sense, the meeting is conceived not merely as an occasion for presenting ongoing research, but as a genuine laboratory for intellectual exchange and scholarly debate, designed to encourage the circulation of new ideas, the development of international research networks, and the exploration of shared perspectives.
The conference will open with a keynote lecture by Massimo Leone (University of Turin), whose address will offer a wide-ranging reflection on the epistemological transformations currently affecting the study of religion and its intersections with historical narration and literary production. His intervention will provide a stimulating point of departure for the discussions that will follow.
Through thematic panels, roundtables, and open discussions, the conference aims to highlight both established research and emerging perspectives, with particular attention to innovative proposals from early-career scholars. The goal is to outline an updated map of the most promising directions in contemporary research, identifying critical issues, lines of continuity, and possible future developments.
In a scholarly context where the complexity of cultural phenomena demands increasingly refined and dialogical interpretative tools, the ISACCL in Bucharest offers an ideal setting for an event that seeks to combine methodological rigor, interdisciplinary openness, and intellectual creativity. New Directions in Contemporary Research aims not only to be a conference, but also a generative space for shared thinking and collaborative exploration, oriented toward shaping the research agendas of the coming years.
Call for Papers
Scholars working in the fields of religion, literature, history, and related disciplines are warmly invited to submit proposals presenting their ongoing or recently completed research. Contributions that engage with innovative methodologies, interdisciplinary approaches, or new theoretical perspectives are particularly welcome.
The conference will take place from 20 to 22 May 2026 in Bucharest, and it intends to bring together an international community of researchers committed to exploring the evolving directions of contemporary scholarship.
Further details regarding submission guidelines, deadlines, and conference participation will be announced shortly. Researchers interested in presenting their work are strongly encouraged to submit their proposals and take part in this opportunity for dialogue, collaboration, and intellectual exchange.
