In-person November Annual Meeting 2026 Program Book

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This workshop will introduce religious studies instructors to a collection of case studies for classroom use, curated by Interfaith America. These twenty-seven case studies present real-life scenarios from health care settings. In this interactive workshop, participants will practice using these case studies and will leave more equipped to incorporate them into their classrooms. Sample case studies feature a Sikh patient with head trauma, a Buddhist patient resisting pain medicine, a Hindu patient self-administering Ayurvedic cleansing, a Native American patient requesting a smudging ceremony in hospice care, a Haredi Jewish patient concerned about radiation tattoos, and Muslim parents concerned about hospital food and insulin therapy for their diabetic child. These case studies raise issues of religious literacy, intercultural competency, diversity accommodations, and ethics. The case studies also immerse students in practical applications of their knowledge. Workshop facilitators include case study authors and faculty who use these case studies in their teaching.

This workshop will introduce religious studies instructors to a collection of case studies for classroom use, curated by Interfaith America. These twenty-seven case studies present real-life scenarios from health care settings. In this interactive workshop, participants will practice using these case studies and will leave more equipped to incorporate them into their classrooms. Sample case studies feature a Sikh patient with head trauma, a Buddhist patient resisting pain medicine, a Hindu patient self-administering Ayurvedic cleansing, a Native American patient requesting a smudging ceremony in hospice care, a Haredi Jewish patient concerned about radiation tattoos, and Muslim parents concerned about hospital food and insulin therapy for their diabetic child. These case studies raise issues of religious literacy, intercultural competency, diversity accommodations, and ethics. The case studies also immerse students in practical applications of their knowledge. Workshop facilitators include case study authors and faculty who use these case studies in their teaching.

Qualitative research often unfolds in complex, unpredictable environments. Securing funding, managing relationships, handling data, and ensuring meaningful impact all require thoughtful planning and adaptive strategies. This workshop opens up the “black box” of research management by creating space for honest conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and what researchers wish they’d known earlier. Participants will gain insight into the realities of running qualitative projects—from negotiating with funders to collaborating with communities, from managing multi‑year grants to navigating emerging questions around AI. Whether you are new to qualitative research or looking to refine your practice, this workshop offers practical wisdom and a supportive environment for reflection. This interactive session brings together 6–8 invited facilitators, each offering five‑minute presentations on a key aspect of qualitative research projects, such as funding, assessment, data management, and more. Then, participants will join facilitators for in‑depth discussions, allowing for rich, small‑group exploration of the issues raised.

Invite only event.

This workshop is for anyone who is involved in (or interested in being involved in) programs/centers/institutes or initiatives related to religion and public life.

The workshop offers a full day devoted to networking and community building, peer resourcing, skills building, and leadership development. Special sessions will be devoted to skills-building such as funding, staffing and infrastructure, and collaboration across disciplines. We will also be diving into the key content issues and opportunities for increased scholarly engagement and effectiveness at the intersections of religion and public life as well as envisioning pathways for future mutual coordination and collaboration.

This is an ongoing forum for sharing best practices, pool ideas, and developing collaborations. We welcome all who are interested to join our network.