Dear all,

I am pleased to announce the call for papers for the Philosophy of Religion unit at the 2027 American Academy of Religion, Western Region conference, which will be held at The Graduate Theological Union & Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, California, March 19-21. We welcome all papers engaging this year’s conference theme, “Moving Beyond Boundaries and Silos Toward Interconnection and Collaboration,” as well as topics of general interest in the Philosophy of Religion.

The CFP is attached, so is the requisite proposal form. For further information see the American Academy of Religion Western Regional’s website.

Moving Beyond Boundaries and Silos Toward Interconnection and Collaboration

2027 Conference of the American Academy of Religion, Western Region

March – Graduate Theological Union & Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, California

Philosophy of Religion Unit CFP

We welcome all papers engaging with this year’s conference theme – “Moving Beyond Boundaries and Silos Toward Interconnection and Collaboration” – as well as additional topics of interest in contemporary Philosophy of Religion. Topics of interest might include:

• How have philosophers conceptualized tradition, genealogy, difference, and innovation especially in terms of spirituality and religion? Furthermore, how might these conceptualizations benefit or deter discourse between traditions?
• What might diverse theological traditions offer the philosophy of religion in relation to a shared vocabulary that moves across, de-constructs, and/or potentially re-constructs, modern confessional boundaries?
• How might comparative epistemological approaches illuminate the ways in which different religious traditions understand what they consider to be ultimate reality? How might philosophical discussions about these realities foster social, cultural, and political discussion?
• In which ways do hermeneutical and phenomenological approaches to sacred, and profane, experiences offer scholars novel interpretive forms that call into question bounded understandings of religion?
• How have feminist and decolonial critiques of classical philosophy of religion acted as a generational corrective? How have these philosophical formations cultivated inter-generational discourse, and towards what ends?
• We invite experts of non-Western philosophies to think through differences in conceptualizing ethical and moral differences and innovation across cultural boundaries. Where do differing philosophies create dialogue or disagreement?
• In acknowledging the diversity of expressions of religion, spirituality, and faith, which areas can benefit from dialogue with trends and concerns in the Philosophy of Religion? What are the horizons of the discipline? What are some novel applications?
• We also welcome proposals that investigate particular or individual philosophers, religious thinkers, theologians, or prominent social or political figures in terms of their insights, reflections, or ideas that contribute to the study of religion or topics within the field of philosophy of religion.

To submit: Please complete the participant form (link) and include a proposal of 200–250 words. We also invite, though do not require, a brief statement of your personal interests; this helps us know you as more than an abstract.

Submit your Proposal Form to Mitchel E. Hickman (mitchelehickman@ucsb.edu) by October 15th, 2026.