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International Development and Religion Unit, Political Theology Unit, and Religion and the Social Sciences Unit
Call for Proposals
Religion, Secularity, and Humanitarianism
In his 2012 book Humanitarian Reason, Didier Fassin argues that the lasting presence of religion, specifically Christianity, can be seen in the ascendency of humanitarian values in Western democratic societies. The primacy of “humanitarian reason,” Fassin contends, elevates the redemptive work of individual and state humanitarian actors and virtues of compassion and charity over the political actions, historical struggles, and subjectivities of those Howard Thurman calls the “disinherited.” This form of response to an unequal world order all too often reifies victimhood and dominant power relations, and commodifies/valorizes the suffering of “others.” Inspired by and in dialogue with Fassin’s work, we seek paper proposals that explore:
- Religious and/or secular (moral) logics of humanitarianism, including but not exclusive to Christianity
- How humanitarian discourse, ideals, and practices have been mobilized in specific contexts or within international development across space and time
- Contemporary faith-based or religiously-informed humanitarian movements and responses
- Relationship between humanitarianism and liberation/decolonial movements (and critiques)
- How humanitarian reason (and the valorization of suffering) gets taken up or contested in international development work
- Affective links between compassion and moral action
- Political theologies of humanitarianism
Sponsors
Chairs
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David Newheiser, Australian Catholic University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Michelle Sanchez, Harvard University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Rachel Schneider, Rice University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Emma Tomalin, University of Leeds1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Olivia Wilkinson, Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Sara Williams, Fairfield University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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An Yountae, California State University, Northridge1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
Steering Committee Members
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Kim Akano, Princeton University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Amanda Baugh, California State University, Northridge1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Roger Baumann, Hope College1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Emma Bridger, University of Birmingham1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Valentina Cantori, University of Southern California1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Brandy Daniels, University of Portland1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Jill DeTemple, Southern Methodist University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Christopher Duncanson-Hales, University of Sudbury1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Tyler Fuller, Boston University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Jason Jeffries, University of Denver1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Loren Lybarger, Ohio University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Amjad Mohamed-Saleem, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Joi Orr, Emory University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Inese Radzins, California State University, Stanislaus1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Marie Stettler Kleine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Kristen Tobey, John Carroll University1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028