Daoist Studies Unit
The Daoist Studies Unit invites proposals for the AAR Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts (November 22–25, 2025). We welcome proposals for individual papers, paper sessions, and roundtables concerning any aspects of Daoism regardless of the time period, geographical area, or methodological and theoretical approach. The proposals could be individual papers, 90-minute paper sessions (ideally consisting of 3 papers, a presider, and a respondent), or roundtables (consisting of a presider and 4–6 panelists). All topics for presentations are welcome. Below are the ideas proposed at the business meeting for 2025.
- Daoism and the Digital World (Michael Naparstek)
- Daoism and Divinity (Mark Meulenbeld)
- Theoretical Imperialism (Tobias Zürn)
- Daoism and Contemplative Practices (Larson DiFiori)
- Daoism, Animals, and Insects (Stuart Young)
- Daoism and the Senses (Tyler M. Feezell)
- Daoism and Drugs (Jonathan Pettit)
- Daoism and Manichaeism (Stephen Eskildsen)
- Daoism and Tantrism (David Mozina)
- Roundtable: New Directions in the Studies of Early Daoism (Matthew Duperon)
Please contact the point person if you wish to participate in formulating these panels. Proposals on topics not listed here are more than welcome.
We look forward to receiving proposals that are multi-disciplinary and border-crossing. As we continue to reach out to other program units and promote dialogue between different fields, we strongly encourage applicants to submit their proposals to Daoist Studies and one additional program unit. A complete list of AAR program Units can be found at (https://papers.aarweb.org/program-units).
The Daoist Studies Unit steadfastly supports diversity and inclusivity. We require all pre-arranged panels to incorporate a diversity of gender, ethnicity, seniority, sub-field, and/or methodology.
Please feel free to contact the co-chairs for additional information.
The Daoist Studies Unit organizes the most consistent venue in North America for sharing research on the Daoist religion. We are guided by a vision with three main goals: to reach into the vast recesses of the largely understudied Daoist tradition; to reach out in conversation with the broader American Academy of Religion, and to promote the Annual Meeting of the AAR as an international venue for sharing and vetting research by all levels of Daoism scholars. Since early 2021, the Daoist Studies Unit has also been hosting regular online presentations and workshops throughout the year under the rubric of the Global Daoist Studies Forum.
| Chair | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jingyu Liu, Rollins College | liujingyu1117@gmail.com | - | View |
| Tobias Zuern, Reed College | hmtzuern@ust.hk | - | View |